African countries demand climate talks focus on rich country emission cuts

African countries have called for a suspension of all further talks on the Kyoto Protocol - except for discussions on rich country emissions reduction targets - until substantial progress is made on this critical issue.

Hugh Cole, Climate Advisor for Oxfam in Southern Africa said: “The world’s poorest nations are faced with an impossible choice - no climate deal or a bad climate deal. Both options threaten the lives and livelihoods of millions of the worlds poorest people who are already struggling to cope with a changing climate.

African leaders have agreed a common negotiating position and are doing everything they can to ensure there is a good outcome for people and the planet in Copenhagen. EU and US leaders meeting in Washington today need to signal that they are willing to play their part."

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Alertnet article: Africa boycott UN climate talks, demands CO2 cuts

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