United Nations Radio

While most world leaders have already gathered here in Copenhagen to hammer out a climate deal by Friday, some key decisions still haven't been made.

Ad Hoc Working Group on the Kyoto Protocol

It's unclear how to fund a deal that could involve the transfer of billions of dollars from industrialized countries to the developing world; delegates remain at loggerheads over which mechanisms should be employed to reduce emissions; and there is continuing debate about how to monitor compliance with the treaty. The Chairman of the Ad Hoc Working Group on the Kyoto Protocol, John Ashe of Antigua and Barbuda, told the meeting this morning that while the group has advanced its work, much remains to be done.

"While there has been significant progress in most areas, the issue of numbers has presented challenges to the work of the group. Hence, I regret to report that we have been unable to reach agreement on the amendment to the Kyoto protocol."

The uncertainty over the direction of the talks raises questions about the next step, as to what sort of binding treaty policymakers will be able to produce next year, which is the new deadline they have set.

Donn Bobb, United Nations Radio, Copenhagen
(duration: 1'06")