World leaders delay climate deal

The APEC summit of Asia Pacific nations has ended with leaders admitting it will not be possible to reach a deal at next month’s climate change summit in Copenhagen.

It means legally binding agreements to slice carbon emissions by 50 percent will be delayed.

Despite that, those present vowed to take action.

“To achieve sustainable growth we will work towards an ambitious outcome in Copenhagen and ensure that efforts to mitigate climate change are consistent with our obligations,’‘ said Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong

Copenhagen is being seen by many as a last chance to put in place painful measures to avert rising temperatures.

The issue is expected to be a major topic of conversation between US President Barack Obama and his Chinese counterpart Hu Jintao.

Disagreements between China, the world’s biggest emitter of CO2, and the US, have made a firm climate deal elusive.

Earlier, activists scaled China’s Great Wall calling for Obama to take decisive action on the environment.

Copyright © 2009 euronews

tags: Climate, Singapore