"Old Rifts Mar U.N. Climate Talks On 'Balanced Deal'"

"Old splits between rich and poor nations re-emerged on Tuesday over a plan to slow global warming, but both sides maintained a 'balanced package' is the goal of U.N. talks in Mexico.

After an opening day largely dominated by ceremony, almost 200 countries showed little sign of compromise on past demands that have brought deadlock since last year's Copenhagen summit fell short of a binding U.N. climate treaty.

All sides stress that Cancun has to come up with a 'balanced package,' a mantra that masks deep splits in strategy about how to curb greenhouse gas emissions and divide the responsibilities between rich and poor nations."

Robert Campbell and Alister Doyle report for Reuters December 1, 2010.

SEE ALSO:

"Int'l Negotiators Eye Ozone Treaty as Shortcut to CO2 Deal" (Greenwire)

"U.S. To Keep Emissions Goal" (Reuters)

"Islands Fear "End Of History" Due To Climate Changes " (Reuters)

"Officials Aim For Small Wins In Cancun Climate Talks" (NPR)

"Cancún Climate Change Summit: UK Government Gets Cozy With Corporations" (Guardian)

"Japan Says 'Sayonara' to Kyoto Protocol" (Mother Jones)