CRI听力:Doha Climate Talks Extend Kyoto Protocol

The Kyoto Protocol is the only UN plan that obliges about 35 industrialized nations to cut carbon emissions by at least 25 to 40 percent below 1990 levels by 2020. It is due to expire by the end of 2012 without extension.

Abdullah bin Hamad al-Atiiyah, President of the Doha Conference, hailed the extension of the deal as a breakthrough.

"I called the result of this conference 'Doha Climate Gateway', and what I meant is the gateway to the future, gateway even beyond 2020. And this is what we show, the commitment to what the Doha conference - as we picked this theme to create a real gateway, so the whole world will value the result."

Head of Chinese delegation Xie Zhenhua said China was satisfied with the result but urged rich nations to fulfill commitments in combating climate change.

"It was agreed that developed countries must largely cut their greenhouse gas emissions during the extended period of the Kyoto Protocol. China is relatively satisfied with the outcome. However, we are disappointed to see the emissions that rich nations have promised to cut are not enough. The public funds they will use to compensate poor nations are not enough either. We urge them to expand the funding so as to meet the target in the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change."

The European Union has pledged to join the second period of the Kyoto Protocol in a bid to meet the obliged goals by 2020, as explained by EU Climate Commissioner Connie Hedegaard.

"There is a fact that we are on track to meet more than our former 20 percent commitment through our energy efficiency directive, through cars legislation and new fuel proposals. I hope that we can continue to move forward, also on becoming more resourceful and energy efficient, and that of course will also reduce our emissions."

However, countries including the US, Japan, Canada and Russia opposed extending the treaty, even insisting on backing out despite international criticism.

Some Pacific island nations have voiced anger over these countries' move, saying they take global warming for granted.

Nauru Foreign Minister Kieren Keke said it will be a threat to the existence of island nations.

"Those who are indifferent need to open their eyes. Those who are obstructive and self-serving need to realize that we are not talking about impacts on how comfortable your people may live. But whether or not our people will live."

Also, developed countries have pledged a total of 30 billion US dollars to a "Fast Start" fund from 2010 to 2012, which will be scaled up to 100 billion dollars per year by 2020. But it indicates that only 10 billion dollars of climate funds are available each year.

The Group 77 and China have proposed that rich nations raise 20 billion dollars per year between 2013 and 2015 for a "medium-term" climate fund as long-term finance falls into uncertainty in the wake of the global economic downturn.

Statistics show greenhouse gas emissions in the world are set to rise 2.6 percent this year and are more than 50 percent higher than in 1990.

For CRI, I am Wei Tong.