U.S. Tries to Break Copenhagen Deadlock

In a move to ostensibly “save” the United Nations’ climate talks in Copenhagen, the U.S. has pledged to support a $100 billion multilateral fund to help poor countries adapt to climate change and develop environmentally friendly technologies.  —JCL

The Guardian:

The US moved to assert its leadership and save the UN climate talks in Copenhagen from collapse today, saying it was ready to support a $100bn (£62bn) fund to shield poor countries from the ravages of climate change.

But speaking at the conference, Hillary Clinton, the US secretary of state, warned developing countries that the finances would only flow if their leaders signed up to a strong global warming deal at the summit.

“The US is prepared to work with other countries to jointly mobilise $100bn a year by 2020,” Clinton told a press conference on a day that began with reports that the summit’s Danish hosts had given up hope of reaching a deal.

However, she warned: “In the absence of an operational agreement that meets the requirement that I outlined there will not be the final commitment that I outlined - at least from the United States.”

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AP / Anja Niedringhaus

Secretary of State Hillary Clinton’s call for a $100-billion fund was a lower amount than developing nations say they require to address the climate issue.