"U.N. Talks In Mexico To Seek Modest Climate Steps"

"Almost 200 nations meet in Mexico beginning Monday to try to agree on modest steps to slow climate change, a U.N. gathering overshadowed by strains between the top two emitters, the United States and China.

The meeting, in a sprawling "Moon Palace" resort by the Caribbean from November 29 to December 10, will seek to get negotiations back on track after last year's acrimonious Copenhagen summit fell short of a binding U.N. treaty to slow global warming.

Delegates gathered on Sunday for talks that will seek agreement on lesser measures such as a "green fund" to channel aid to poor nations, new ways to share clean technologies and to protect tropical forests that soak up carbon as they grow.

The ultimate goal of the process is to extend the present Kyoto Protocol, which controls the greenhouse gas emissions of all industrialized countries except the United States which didn't ratify the pact."

Alister Doyle reports for Reuters November 29, 2010.

SEE ALSO:

"Stakes High, Expectations Low as Climate Talks Open in Cancun" (ENS)

"Climate Change Talks Face Crucial Test" (Washington Post)

"States Diverting Money from Climate Initiative" (New York Times)

"Indonesia’s Billion-Dollar Forest Deal Is at Risk" (New York Times)

"Mexico Seeks Leading Role in Climate Policy" (Washington Post)