COPENHAGEN (AP) — The top U.S. envoy at the climate talks in Denmark is defending his country's target for cutting greenhouse gas emissions.
Todd Stern says the target is "equal to or higher" than most of what the European Union is proposing. And he says he's "not anticipating any change" in the U.S. offer.
He says it's tied to the legislation that's expected to come from Congress.
But China is accusing the U.S. and other rich nations of backing away from commitments to fight global warming.
And the European Union is urging both the U.S. and China to increase their commitments on emissions targets.
In an effort to ease the tension, U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon (bahn kee-moon) is urging rich and poor countries to "stop pointing fingers" -- and to increase their pledges to cut emissions.
Meanwhile, the latest draft agreements that are circulating in Denmark indicate that key issues remain unresolved. They include emissions targets for industrial countries, and climate financing for developing countries.
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<<CUT …128 (12/15/09)>> 00:12 "will be impossible"
U.N. secretary-general Ban Ki-moon, in AP interview
U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon says negotiators on all sides must work out their differences and not leave it to world leaders to reach a global climate pact.
<<CUT …129 (12/15/09)>> 00:16 "negotiators and leaders"
U.N. secretary-general Ban Ki-moon, in AP interview
U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon says negotiatiors need to work hard to reach an agreement on a global warming pact.
<<CUT …130 (12/15/09)>> 00:15 "stop pointing finger"
U.N. secretary-general Ban Ki-moon, in AP interview
U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon says nations must lay aside their differences and agree on a tough global warming pact.
<<APPHOTO HPR110 (12/15/09)>>
: UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon addresses the audience during the official opening ceremony of the UN Climate Summit in Copenhagen, Tuesday, Dec. 15, 2009.
