Antinuclear

The ministerial phase wraps up the two week conference, with representatives hoping to narrow the differences between countries… as they work towards a signing a new pact on emissions cuts.

But a gulf has opened up between rich and poor countries, and delegates have hit out at decisions made by Australia and Japan.

Presenter: Bill Birtles   “,………… One of the main issues is whether or not we get a new mechanism on loss and damage. Developing countries are asking for a new mechanism, developed countries want to talk about it under an existing mechanism’.

BIRTLES: Loss and damage is an issue that has split rich and developing countries. Rich countries, such as the US, Australia and Canada have sought to keep talks on loss and damage reparations off the agenda until after 2015. Saleemul Huq says their stance prompted a walk-out this week by developing nations.

HUQ: ‘The fear from the developed countries is that this is the path to being made liable for compensation which may or may not be the case but right now in Warsaw it’s not about compensation. It’s about having a mechanism to allow these discussions to continue in the future’………

BIRTLES: And Suleemul Huq says its not just Japan disappointing delegates. He says Australia’s decision not to send a Minister and the Abbott government’s plan to scrap the carbon tax has also dampened the mood.

HIRATE: ‘The mood is quite bad. Australia and Japan have set us back with their own domestic problems and announcements about reneging on their commitments, so that has set us back here’.