TBD
UN sees signs of optimism for Copenhagen climate conference
Fifteen thousand people are expected to attend the UN Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen next week, making it the biggest meeting on climate ever held, according to the Director of the Secretary-General's Climate Change Support Team.
Janos Pasztor told journalists in New York on Friday that more than 100 world leaders will attend the conference, including US President Barack Obama. This, he says, and the recent announcements by the world's largest developing economies are cause for optimism.
"India announced yesterday it will reduce its emission intensity by 20 to 25% by 2020 from the 2005 level. This is a very positive step for a country, where some 400 million people still do not have access to electricity. China has already embarked on an aggressive national climate change plan. Their announcement last weekend means that they will take responsibility for reducing by a quarter of the world's total emissions required globally."
Mr. Pazstor says Brazil, Indonesia, the Republic of Korea, South Africa, Mexico and many others have also announced ambitious plans to lower their carbon emissions.
Bissera Kostova, United Nations
duration: 1'14"
