Furious group of nations storm out of climate change summit

The troubled climate change summit descended in to chaos yesterday as African leaders stormed out over claims poor nations were being sidelined.

The crucial talks were temporarily suspended as the G77 group walked out, then walked back in again after accusing some nations of trying to "kill" the 1997 Kyoto Protocol.

The crisis comes as Gordon Brown flies to Copenhagen two days earlier than planned today to try to salvage the summit which is in danger of ending without a deal on Friday.

Mr Brown called on the nations not to throw away the chance of an agreement when "half way there".

He said: "It is time for developing and developed countries not to divide among each other but to come together and advance our shared grounds." But the G77 group, led by African countries including Algeria, South Africa and Nigeria, accused the EU countries and the US of trying to get rid of the 1997 emissions cuts targets in favour of a new set of goals. They refused to consider any agreement until they had guar-antees the Kyoto targets will continue with any new deal.

The developing countries, who are more vulnerable to the effects of climate change, fear rich nations will ensure a Copenhagen treaty will not place legally binding commitments.

Victor Fodeke of the Nigerian climate change unit, said: "Africa is on death row. It has been sidelined."

mirror.co.uk