US 'willing to lead climate push'

[wings]

US 'willing to lead climate push'

By Richard Black
Environment correspondent, BBC News website, Poznan

The US is set to lead the world towards a new climate deal, according to John Kerry - but only if other countries pledge emission curbs too.

The former US presidential candidate said here at the UN climate conference that the aim of agreeing a new global deal next year must remain on track.

But a deal could not work unless it covered all countries, he added.

Mexico indicated intentions to halve emissions by 2050, one of the strongest plans from a developing nation.

The country's environment minister Juan Elvira invited other developing countries to join the Mexican initiative, which could see the establishment of a cap and trade system, enlarging the global carbon market.

But the idea will have to go before the president for final approval, possibly in February.

Environmental groups applauded the Mexican move, which would make it one of the first developing countries to set itself targets for reducing emissions, although they are "aspirational goals" rather than binding commitments.

...

Video and full article at: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/7778452.stm