Copenhagen braces for massive march

Tens of thousands of environmental activists have descended on the city to pressure world leaders to do more to combat climate change.

Izvor: VOA

Saturday, 12.12.2009.

15:43

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Tens of thousands of environmental activists have descended on the city to pressure world leaders to do more to combat climate change. Copenhagen is bracing for Saturday's massive march by tens of thousands of environmental activists who have descended on the city to pressure world leaders to do more to combat climate change. Copenhagen braces for massive march Other protests around the world have already begun. Organizers estimate at least 40,000 people took part in Australia's "Walk Against Warming." Demonstrations also took place in Beijing, Indonesia, Manila, and Taipei. Environment ministers from around the world are also arriving in Copenhagen to push climate negotiators to reach an agreement on emissions targets and financing, key issues that must be resolved before world leaders can sign a pact aimed at curbing global warming. More than 100 heads of state and government will be in the Danish capital at the end of next week. The group Global Climate Campaign, which organized Saturday's protests, is urging industrialized countries that emit the most greenhouse gases to take responsibility for climate change by reducing their emissions and investing in clean energy technology. A draft of a global climate agreement circulating at the UN talks in Copenhagen calls for the world to cut greenhouse gas emissions in half by 2050, with rich nations taking the lead. The draft, which emerged Friday, would have industrialized countries cut emissions to below 1990 levels. Developing nations would be expected to keep their emissions from rising much further. Earlier Friday, the European Union agreed to contribute some $10 billion in climate funding to developing countries through 2012. However, some developing nations expressed skepticism about the EU pledge. China's vice foreign minister, He Yafei, wondered why the pledge was only through 2012. And anti-poverty groups questioned whether part of the money is a repackaging of previously-announced aid commitments.

Copenhagen braces for massive march

Other protests around the world have already begun.

Organizers estimate at least 40,000 people took part in Australia's "Walk Against Warming." Demonstrations also took place in Beijing, Indonesia, Manila, and Taipei.

Environment ministers from around the world are also arriving in Copenhagen to push climate negotiators to reach an agreement on emissions targets and financing, key issues that must be resolved before world leaders can sign a pact aimed at curbing global warming.

More than 100 heads of state and government will be in the Danish capital at the end of next week.

The group Global Climate Campaign, which organized Saturday's protests, is urging industrialized countries that emit the most greenhouse gases to take responsibility for climate change by reducing their emissions and investing in clean energy technology.

A draft of a global climate agreement circulating at the UN talks in Copenhagen calls for the world to cut greenhouse gas emissions in half by 2050, with rich nations taking the lead.

The draft, which emerged Friday, would have industrialized countries cut emissions to below 1990 levels. Developing nations would be expected to keep their emissions from rising much further.

Earlier Friday, the European Union agreed to contribute some $10 billion in climate funding to developing countries through 2012.

However, some developing nations expressed skepticism about the EU pledge. China's vice foreign minister, He Yafei, wondered why the pledge was only through 2012. And anti-poverty groups questioned whether part of the money is a repackaging of previously-announced aid commitments.

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