COPENHAGEN — European nations pressed former East bloc neighbors Thursday to help create a multibillion-dollar fund for poor countries suffering the most from global warming, while key U.S. senators signaled progress on legislation in line with what President Barack Obama will pledge at the U.N. climate conference next week.
At the European Union summit Thursday, European governments committed a total of $2.6 billion a year for 2010-2012 for the short-term climate fund, or a three-year total of $7.9 billion , according to a French official who spoke on condition of anonymity because the discussions will continue today. That official said the figure so far falls short of EU target of $3.2 billion a year for the period.
But the less-affluent former East bloc countries are reluctant to participate in costly emissions cuts or to give to a fund intended to help developing nations. Developing nations are pressing the U.S., Europeans, Japanese and others for more upfront money and for assurances about long-term financing.
In a boost for the U.S. negotiating position, three senators of different political stripes — Democrat John Kerry of Massachusetts, Republican Lindsey Graham of South Carolina and independent Joe Lieberman of Connecticut — said legislation that they were working on would seek to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in the range of 17 percent by 2020. But the bill is not expected to be voted on by the full Senate until spring.
The Associated Press
