UN: Plans for international co-operation to fight global warming beyond the end of the Kyoto Protocol yesterday dominated the UN conference on climate change in Argentina.
The top EU negotiator said that support was building for a proposal to hold two international seminars next year to discuss additional measures to reduce climate change after 2012, when the agreement ends.
"We're quite encouraged with the response we've received from a number of negotiating partners," including Australia, Mexico and Switzerland, Mr Yvo de Boer said yesterday.
The gatherings would serve as informal forums to begin discussing possible future emissions cuts and other steps beyond the timeframe of the Kyoto Protocol.
A senior US negotiator said the US was opposed to the proposal. "It's very premature to enter into negotiations on a post-2012 regime," said Mr Harlan Watson, a State Department negotiator.
Some at the conference have expressed hope that the US and large developing nations such as China and India might be more willing to curb emissions or take other steps to slow global warming beyond 2012.
Mr De Boer acknowledged that progress may appear to be slow, but stressed that progress was being made. "The Kyoto Protocol is probably the most important international environmental agreement. To really embark on the next stage of discussions, which will have far greater implications, is very significant," he said.