Bali roadmap to discuss new global warming agreement

BALI: In a dramatic finish to a UN climate conference, world leaders adopted a plan on Saturday to negotiate a new global warming pact after the United States dropped opposition to stronger wording on poorer nations’ need for technology to fight rising temperatures.

The US stand had drawn loud boos and sharp floor rebukes, “Lead or get out of the way!” one delegate demanded, before Undersecretary of State Paula Dobriansky reversed the US position, clearing the way for the “Bali Roadmap.”

Talks, to be completed in 2009, could determine for years to come how well the world will head off global warming and scientist’’ predictions of widespread drought, flooding, rising seas and worsening storms.

Negotiators are charged with finding ways to reduce greenhouse gases and helping poor countries adapt by speeding up the transfer of technology and offering financial assistance.

Adoption came after marathon negotiations overnight that several times appeared on the brink of collapse. UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon earlier urged delegates to quickly approve a “good and strong” compromise plan, saying "I’m disappointed about the lack of progress."

European and US envoys dueled into the final hours of the two-week meeting over the European Union’s proposal that the Bali mandate suggest an ambitious goal for cutting industrial nations’ emissions, by 25 to 40% below 1990 levels by 2020. That guideline’s specific numbers were eliminated from the text, but an indirect reference was inserted instead.

Just when it appeared an agreement was within reach, developing nations argued that their need for technological help from rich nations and other issues receive greater recognition in the document launching the negotiations. They said earlier agreed-upon text had been watered down.

"We are hugely disappointed," said Chandrashekhar Dasgupta, a member of the Indian delegation. "We are desperately keen to have a successful outcome. But it has to be on the basis of transparency, justice and fairness."

Dobriansky, who had earlier said the United States wasn’t prepared to budge, reversed course after being publicly rebuked, first by South Africa and then by Papua New Guinea. "We will go forward and join consensus," she said, triggering rousing applause. In a UN process requiring consensus, both sides won and lost.

The broadly worded "roadmap", in any event, doesn’t itself guarantee any level of emissions reductions or any international commitment by any country, only a commitment to negotiate.