India, China block UN climate agreement

BALI: India and China blocked a last minute deal at the world climate conference here on Saturday, derailing an attempt to reach an agreement for a pact to fight global warming after the Kyoto Protocol expires in 2012.

Negotiators from more than 180 countries were trying to iron out a compromise on whether guidelines for negotiations to create a post-2012 global climate agreement by the end of 2009 should mention scientific evidence of the need for emissions cuts in the range of 25 to 40 per cent below 1990 levels by 2020.

India and China had voiced objections to how developing countries should reduce their carbon emissions. India wanted countries to set their own targets, allowing it to limit the impact of the regulations on its economy. China was seeking new consultations outside of the plenary session.