Obama, Wen offer no new emissions cuts at summit
By Seth Borenstein, APFriday, December 18, 2009
Obama, Wen offer no new emissions cuts at summit
COPENHAGEN — President Barack Obama and Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao have addressed the faltering U.N. climate conference in Copenhagen but neither is offering any new commitments to cut greenhouse gas emissions.
Many delegates at the conference had been looking toward China and the U.S. — the world’s two largest carbon polluters — to deepen their pledges to cut emissions to salvage a deal in Copenhagen.
Obama said the world’s will to address climate change “hangs in the balance” and insists any deal must include transparency among nations. Wen defended his country’s climate commitments and said “we will honor our word with real action.”
The climate talks were in disarray Friday morning, prompting Obama and 19 other world leaders to hold an emergency meeting.
THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE. Check back soon for further information. AP’s earlier story is below.
COPENHAGEN (AP) — Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao has defended his country’s climate commitments at the U.N. climate conference in Copenhagen, saying “we will honor our word with real action.”
Wen says China’s voluntary targets of reducing its carbon intensity by 40 to 45 percent will require “tremendous efforts.”
He spoke after a meeting with President Barack Obama and 19 other world leaders.
China has been criticized at the two-week summit for not offering stronger carbon emissions targets and for resisting international monitoring of its actions. French President Nicolas Sarkozy says progress in climate talks on Friday was being held back by China.
