United Nations brings together world leaders to discuss climate change and post-Kyoto
UN kicks off Bali climate change conference
Dec. 3 2007 - About 10,000 delegates from nearly 190 countries are in Bali today for a massive UN conference on climate change. The focus of the conference is to begin negotiations on a pact to replace the Kyoto Protocol, which expires in 2012.
"The eyes of the world are upon you. There is a huge responsibility for Bali to deliver,'' said Yvo de Boer, the executive secretary of the conference. "The world now expects a quantum leap forward.''
A key aim of the conference will be to ensure that the United States signs on to any new agreement. The American delegation in Bali has said it would not work as a "roadblock" to a new agreement.
However, the U.S. remains opposed to certain measures -- such as mandatory emissions cuts by wealthy nations and a target for limiting the rise in global temperatures -- that are supported by many countries in attendance.
On Monday, Australia signed papers to ratify the Kyoto Protocol climate pact -- leaving the U.S. as the only industrial power to not have joined.
The U.S. is the world's number one emitter of greenhouse gases.
On Sunday, Canada's Environment Minister John Baird said any deal needs to include the world's major producers of greenhouse gases.
"We want to negotiate an agreement that's tough and effective and brings in all the big players," Baird told CTV's Question Period, adding that failure is not an option.
The Harper government's plan would see Canada cut its emissions by 20 per cent by 2020.
Liberal Leader Stephane Dion has said that he will attend the conference despite the fact that the Harper government has not invited any opposition members.
Dion has said that the Harper government is attempting to sabotage the Kyoto Protocol, and has written a letter asking that it reverse its decision on opposition participation.
But Baird said that Dion has already had his chance to deal with climate change as a member of the previous Liberal government and failed to take action.
"Since Kyoto was signed 10 years ago, under Stephane Dion's leadership, greenhouse gases went up by 35.9 per cent," he said, "We have one of the worst records in the developing world. I think Canada can do a lot better."
The UN wants an agreement on a replacement pact for Kyoto to be decided by 2009 so that it can be implemented in time.