Al Gore says US to blame for “obstructing progress” in Bali, to thunderous applause

As the UN Conference on Climate Change in Bali approached its final day, signing of the Bali Roadmap document was imperiled by a deadlock over the inclusion of emission reduction targets in the document.

The Bali Roadmap, intended to be the major product of the 190-nation conference, will guide negotiations for a successor to the Kyoto Treaty which expires in 2012.

UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon said that the new treaty must be finalized by the Copenhagen conference in 2009 to give nations enough time to ratify before 2012.

The US, Japan, Canada and Australia are opposing a non-binding 25-40 percent emissions reduction goal backed by the European Union.

In retaliation for what it sees as US foot-dragging, the EU threatened to boycott a Washington conference in January.

The Bali conference has agreed on a fund to help poorer nations cope with the impacts of climate change, and to assist in the preservation of economically valuable forest lands.

Speaking at the conference today, former US Vice President Al Gore said, “My own country the United States is principally responsible for obstructing progress in Bali.” Gore was arriving directly from Oslo where he accepted the Nobel Peace Prize for his work on climate change.

“I don’t know how you can navigate around this enormous elephant in the room which I’ve been undiplomatic enough to name. But I’m asking you to do it,” he said.

Free Subscription to the Daily Biofuels Digest e-newsletter

Related Stories

In Bali: China delegation animated, India delegation moribund as climate change talks progress

In Bali, the executive secretary of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change said '"I haven't heard India being very strong in the forefront of discussions (here at Bali). But they signed up with...

Australia ratifies Kyoto Treaty as Bali conference opens; US now the lone holdout

Minutes after taking the oath of office as Australian Prime Minister, Kevin Rudd signed documents ratifying the Kyoto Treaty on behalf of Australia. The United States is now the only major industrial ...

Gore, UN climate panel win Nobel Peace Prize

In Norway, former US Vice President Albert Gore Jr and the U.N. climate panel were awarded the Nobel Peace Prize "for their efforts to build up and disseminate greater knowledge about man-made climate...

Climate change survey ready for your participation; World Bank, World Conservation Union seek respondents for post-Bali opinion

An online survey on climate change supported by the World Bank, the World Conservation Union, the International Development Research Centre, and GlobeScan is available, and seeking response from clima...

Dramatic US reversal at Bali prompted by “collective global groan”, “full-throated expression of rage and anger”, “booing and jeering” by other delegations

Reports continue to flow out of Washington and Bali regarding the United States' dramatic reversal on emission targets, that set the stage for an announcement that the nations had agreed to negotiate ...

Gore pushes petition in support of clean energy legislation as Earth Day focus

In Washington, former Vice President Al Gore issued an Earth Day call to support clean energy legislation with a petition drive. The petition can be viewed here, and Gore called for each visitor to hi...