EU rejects crucial climate deal

THE HAGUE, Netherlands -- The European Union has rejected a proposed compromise deal put forward at the UN climate negotiations.

A EU source said Friday that the deal was considered "unbalanced" and "completely unacceptable."

"We think this is a full frontal assault on the environmental credibility and integrity of the (Kyoto) Protocol and it's completely unacceptable," the source said.

Negotiators from more than 180 countries are under pressure to strike a deal on reducing greenhouse gas emissions that scientist say are heating up the earth's atmosphere.

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"We are very concerned about these proposals. They have to be substantially strengthened," German Environment Minister Juergen Trittin said.

He added: "We want the success of this conference. But the benchmark for us is environmental integrity."

Dutch Environment Minister Jan Pronk, who is chairing the conference of 180 nations, put forward new proposals late on Thursday on how to cut emissions of heat-trapping gases after talks between the U.S. and EU over how to reduce greenhouse gases became deadlocked.

But after discussions on Friday -- the day the summit is due to end -- Trittin said the proposal was so watered down that it was "weaker than the text of the Kyoto Protocol."

Under the 1997 Kyoto Protocol, worldwide emissions of heat-trapping gases must decline to 5.2 percent below their 1990 levels by 2012.

Green groups had already slammed Pronk's plan as a sellout to Washington, the biggest producer of gases like carbon dioxide which are believed to be helping to make the world's weather warmer and deadlier.

The Friends of the Earth said it gave Washington a free gift by allowing it the right to avoid making physical cuts in emissions at home: "This represents a major weakening of the Kyoto treaty."

"This text, as it stands, will allow emissions to increase rather than ensuring they are reduced," the World Wildlife Fund said.

The EU has objected to a U.S. plan to allow developed nations to count carbon dioxide soaked up by forests, so-called carbon sinks, against emissions reduction targets agreed to in Kyoto, Japan in 1997.

Washington says it will not be able to reach its target without using such methods.

Pronk's document allowed the United States to use the sinks, albeit not to the extent Washington wants.

The plan also made no provision for cash fines for non-compliance with the Kyoto treaty, some delegates said.

Pronk also proposed developed countries provide $1 billion in aid to poor nations to help them adapt to the effects of climate change and install clean energy technology, with funds to start flowing not later than 2005.

The Kyoto pact sets a five percent average cut by developed nations from 1990 levels of emissions by 2010.

Nations threatened by rising sea levels have angrily accused the U.S. of shirking its responsibility to make cuts.

Nigerian Environment Minister Sani Daura, speaking on behalf of developing nations in the G77 grouping plus China, said rich nations should be ashamed that progress had been so slow.

"It is in the court of the developed nations to see reason. They have the money. They have caused our problems. It is now for them to flesh it out," he said in an heated address.

Reuters contributed to this report.

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World Wide Fund for Nature
Friends of the Earth
European Union
United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change

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