Developing nations walk out of Copenhagen climate talks

The start of the second week of climate negotiations in Copenhagen saw the G77, which represents 130 developing countries, walk out of the proceedings over concern that the Kyoto Protocol would be abandoned. Environment Minister Jairam Ramesh of India and representatives from Brazil, South Africa, and China brought their protest to Connie Hedegaard, the Danish President of the proceedings.

Losing the 1997 Kyoto Protocol could leave developing countries with no way to hold rich countries accountable for cutting their carbon emissions, especially if the negotiations in Copenhagen result in a weaker agreement, or do not result in a new legally binding treaty at all. That possibility was enough to drive the G77 to action, demanding deeper emissions cuts than what is currently on the table. The walkout left the conference in disarray, resulting in a temporary suspension of the official conference activities, including a plenary session that was to include all countries.

After informal talks reassured the G77 representatives that future discussion would address their concerns, they rejoined the negotiations and the conference resumed.

In other news, the New York Times is reporting that the United States and China have reached an “impasse” in the negotiations.