(6 Dec 1997) English/Nat
American Vice President Al Gore is heading for the environmental summit in Kyoto this weekend - but few observers are expecting him to engineer a dramatic breakthrough.
After a week of negotiation, the gap between the US and the EU over emission targets has shown little sign of closing.
Both sides are now working frantically to reach a compromise as the 10-day summit nears its end.
There was an unusual traffic jam in Kyoto on Saturday as a variety of energy saving vehicles took to the streets.
The low emission car fair was arranged to show off the latest in green technology.
Solar powered vehicles have been around for a long time, without ever making the kind of leap forward which could challenge traditionally powered cars.
The talks are also in need of a breakthrough if an agreement is to be reached.
At the moment there's a standoff between the U-S and most of the developed world, including the European Union.
The green camp want commitments to cut emissions from the biggest polluters like the U-S.
But the Americans see this as a threat to their high-octane lifestyle and economic growth, while at the same time they're demanding commitments from developing nations to limit emissions.
For European government ministers, it's a time for putting on a brave face.
SOUNDBITE: (English)
"I'm always optimistic. We have to find an agreement, hopefully we will have to."
SUPER CAPTION: John Prescott, British Deputy Prime Minister
But the American's unwillingness to compromise is backed by a lack of domestic political will to push through green legislation.
SOUNDBITE: (English)
"If a treaty did come out of the Kyoto conference but didn't cover the developing countries in some respect there would be very little support for it in the Senate and very little support for implementing legislation in the House of Representatives."
SUPER CAPTION: Jim Sensenbrenner, US Congressman
The opponents are trying to convince the U-S that green policies don't mean a return to the dark ages and can lead to economic development through the growth of new technologies.
SOUNDBITE: (English)
"The bottom line basically is that the greatest threat to the environment is poverty so a solution that comes out of Kyoto that restrains economic development isn't to my mind going to have a good environmental outcome."
SUPER CAPTION: Robert Hill, Minister of environment of Australia
There is a possibility of a compromise deal in which the developed nations would offer financial help to developing countries who are trying to cut emissions of greenhouse gases.
This could convince the U-S to sign a deal making a commitment to limiting emissions.
Some countries like Australia are asking for concessions to increase their level of emissions in order to allow industrial growth.
SOUNDBITE: (English)
"Eighteen, that figure of Eighteen isn't a target as such as you know it's a calculation of what we can achieve on a comprehensive basis with less land use."
SUPER CAPTION: Robert Hill, Minister of environment of Australia
In the suggested funding mechanism for developing nations, the developed nations could pick up credits to offset against their own targets.
This could prevent them picking up fines if legally binding targets are agreed and enforced.
High level discussions begin on Monday while the summit is due to conclude on Wednesday, with or without an agreement.
Find out more about AP Archive: [ Ссылка ]
Twitter: [ Ссылка ]
Facebook: [ Ссылка ]
Instagram: [ Ссылка ]
You can license this story through AP Archive: [ Ссылка ]
