afrol News, 21 August - Ghana is hosting conference on new climate treaty, which aims to close big gaps in leading industrial nation's vision of halving world greenhouse gas emissions by 2050.

Weeklong conference in which some over 1000 delegates from 150 countries are expected to attend, is hoped will also bring new strategies to encourage third world countries to join fight against global warming.

Climate negotiators and environmental experts resumed work today, on an ambitious international agreement to regulate emissions of greenhouse gases, a draft of which should be ready by December next year.

Completion of a historical international agreement, could see global players commit to halve carbon dioxide discharge into atmosphere from transportation, industry and power generation by mid-century.

Under Kyoto agreement, 37 industrialised countries had agreed to cut emissions by 5 percent below 1990 levels by 2012.

With the Kyoto deadline approaching, Accra meeting will be the third since governments agreed last year to negotiate a new climate treaty by end of 2009 to avert threats such as heatwaves, rising sea levels, disruption of monsoons, desertification and flooding.

As observed by some lead players in negotiations, progress has been frustratingly slow, calling for a united spirit of cooperation, which would try to resolve issues instead of making things more and more complicated.

The recent Group of Eight outcome in Japan, bringing out a new vision, has also been seen as a step forward by rich countries, while calls also say issues of climate change and global warming should be responsibility of all, the poor and the rich.

During Accra meeting, it is also expected that as a way of bringing poorer nations on board, issues of soaring global prices, especially on food and commodities, will be part of the agenda.

Pegs related to payoffs and debt relief tied to poorer sub-Saharan Africa countries protecting, the continents green lounges, such as in Madagascar and Central and East Africa are also expected to be raised more in Accra meeting.

Africa, for instance, has been reminded of climate change effects already being felt, with UN's climate change chief, Yvo de Boer saying it was significant the latest round of talks were being held in Ghana, where climate change already is being felt.

He also said in the last 30 years, rainfall has decreased by 20 percent, with rising sea levels threatening to swamp up to 385 square miles in the Volta Delta.

A report last year by Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change predicted Africa will be among the worst hit continents if average global temperatures rise unchecked, with some 250 million people subjected to water shortages by 2020.

Norwegian chairman of a key committee, stated that gap must be bridged as all countries know that what is needed on global level in terms of reductions, further adding, "we cannot continue forever saying this is an issue for the industrial countries, and no one else should do anything."

Accra delegates hope to achieve common goal on reducing carbon emissions at next December meeting in Denmark.

By staff writer

© afrol News

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