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Copenhagen (Agenzia Fides) - The UN climate talks were recently brought to a halt as a result of a standoff between African nations and rich countries, who are trying to wriggle out of their responsibilities. CIDSE and Caritas Internationalis, together the world’s largest development alliance, claim developed countries, including Japan and Russia, are undermining the climate talks by attempting to sideline the Protocol, currently the only legally binding instrument that regulates climate change.
Including binding emission reductions for developed countries, it provides the world’s poorest with at least some protection from further devastating climate change impacts and poverty. Rowan Popplewell of CIDSE and Caritas member SCIAF from Scotland said: "Abandoning the Kyoto Protocol would be a step back for all countries, but especially for the world’s poorest. For them the negotiations are a matter of survival. Vulnerable communities across the world need a fair, ambitious and binding climate agreement, of which the Kyoto Protocol is an essential element.” (AP) (Agenzia Fides 15/12/2009)
