UN Expert Fears Climate Change Deal At Risk

The head of UN's Environment Programme has told Sky News it is vital that world leaders reach an agreement on climate change at a conference in December.
As the G8 summit began in Italy, Achim Steiner called on rich nations to concentrate their efforts on securing a new, low carbon economy, rather than focusing on narrow, national agendas.

He told Sky's Environment Correspondent, Catherine Jacob: "I'm concerned that there are many at the moment who are not taking the point in time seriously enough.

"We only have 160 days left and if you continue to negotiate on the minutiae, rather than looking at the big elements of what will constitute an acceptable deal for everyone, then you are beginning to risk a unique opportunity."

He added: "The prospect of not reaching a deal in Copenhagen means we have lost the capacity to deal with climate change as a global community."

As well as a 50% cut in global emissions by 2050, humanitarian campaigners say hundreds of billions of pounds will be needed to help developed countries adapt to global warming.

Gordon Brown has already called for rich nations to pledge £60 billion a year to help poorer countries cope, but it's unclear where the funds will come from.

Campaign groups warn that unless the G8 can reach a meaningful agreement on climate change, December's much sought-after global emissions deal could be dead in the water.

Robert Bailey from Oxfam told Sky News Online it would be a "disaster" for the talks if enough money isn't promised ahead of the Copenhagen summit, because developing countries may feel richer nations aren't serious about tackling climate change.

"Most of all, it'll be a disaster for the poorest and most vulnerable in the world who are least responsible for causing climate change."

With last year's food price rises and subsequent shortages in mind, President Obama has called on the G8 to commit $15 billion for agricultural development.

But with the world in the grip of a recession, many now fear G8 leaders may be unwilling to pledge the money needed to kick start a global low carbon economy.