NAIROBI, Kenya, Jan. 6 (UPI) -- Though environmental critics might be frustrated by global climate talks, December negotiations in Mexico put efforts back on track, a U.N. climate chief said.
The agreement struck in Cancun, where representatives from 194 nations met to prepare a new climate protection treaty, calls for major emissions cuts, launches a multibillion-dollar fund to help poor nations adapt to climate change and finalizes a scheme to stop deforestation.
Achim Steiner, the executive director at the U.N. Environment Program, acknowledged, however, that there was a serious gap in what countries promised to do and what countries need to do in terms of cutting harmful greenhouse gas emissions.
That gap, he said, is equal to the combined emissions of the global fleet of cars, trucks and buses.
Nevertheless, he said, giving up on reaching a comprehensive climate agreement for the world community isn't an option despite past efforts.
"The latest round of climate negotiations, held last month in Cancun, Mexico, put the world's efforts on climate change back on track -- albeit at a pace and on a scale that will undoubtedly leave many onlookers frustrated," he said in a statement.
