Worldwide efforts to put a cap on global warming edged forward yesterday when the United States agreed to participate in a seminar next year to discuss climate issues including the next steps on emission controls.
But the US failed to make any commitments to negotiate mandatory reductions in carbon dioxide emissions, a position held since President Bush rejected the Kyoto Protocol in 2001.
The modest deal, reached during the final hours of a two-week UN conference on climate change in Buenos Aires, has been seen as small victory by campaigners. 'It's a finger-hold,' said Michael Zammit Cutajar of Malta, a veteran climate negotiator.
The agreement came only after fierce resistance by the US which said it did not want the seminar to focus on compulsory reduction of emissions. Instead it wants to concentrate on long-term American programmes to develop cleaner-burning energy technologies.
'We think it is premature,' said US delegation chief Paula Dobriansky, the Under Secretary of State for Global Affairs. 'The United States believes that the best way to address climate change is through economic growth that at the same time preserves the environment.'
Bush rejected Kyoto because he said its pre-2012 emissions cuts would damage the US economy and complained that developing countries, such as China and India, would be exempt. His stand has been seen as irresponsible internationally, particularly as the US is responsible for nearly one quarter of the world's carbon emissions.
'They're trying everything possible to discredit any dialogue that would impact on certain economic interests,' said Enele Sopoaga, the delegate for Tuvalu. His Pacific nation of small scattered islands is already losing land to rising seas - one consequence scientists predict from global warming.
Although there was no US commitment to discuss mandatory reductions, delegates viewed the deal as a start. It could also spur talks with developing nations, such as China and India.
But the US failed to make any commitments to negotiate mandatory reductions in carbon dioxide emissions, a position held since President Bush rejected the Kyoto Protocol in 2001.
The modest deal, reached during the final hours of a two-week UN conference on climate change in Buenos Aires, has been seen as small victory by campaigners. 'It's a finger-hold,' said Michael Zammit Cutajar of Malta, a veteran climate negotiator.
The agreement came only after fierce resistance by the US which said it did not want the seminar to focus on compulsory reduction of emissions. Instead it wants to concentrate on long-term American programmes to develop cleaner-burning energy technologies.
'We think it is premature,' said US delegation chief Paula Dobriansky, the Under Secretary of State for Global Affairs. 'The United States believes that the best way to address climate change is through economic growth that at the same time preserves the environment.'
Bush rejected Kyoto because he said its pre-2012 emissions cuts would damage the US economy and complained that developing countries, such as China and India, would be exempt. His stand has been seen as irresponsible internationally, particularly as the US is responsible for nearly one quarter of the world's carbon emissions.
'They're trying everything possible to discredit any dialogue that would impact on certain economic interests,' said Enele Sopoaga, the delegate for Tuvalu. His Pacific nation of small scattered islands is already losing land to rising seas - one consequence scientists predict from global warming.
Although there was no US commitment to discuss mandatory reductions, delegates viewed the deal as a start. It could also spur talks with developing nations, such as China and India.
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