U.N. climate talks end with split

BANGKOK, Oct. 9 (UPI) -- U.N. climate talks in Bangkok ended with developing countries wanting the Kyoto Protocol extended and developed nations wanting something new, attendees said.

Only five negotiating days remain until the opening of the U.N. climate change summit in Copenhagen, Denmark, in December, the BBC reported Friday. During the Copenhagen summit, world leaders will consider a successor to the Kyoto Protocol on reducing atmosphere-polluting emissions. The document expires in 2012.

"Just two months before Copenhagen, the Bangkok climate negotiations did little to move the ball forward," said Alden Meyer, director of strategy and policy for the Union of Concerned Scientists. "Bold steps are clearly needed from the world's leaders to break the deadlock in the negotiations, and time is running short."

Yvo de Boer, executive secretary of the U.N. climate convention, said developing countries say they want the Kyoto Protocol extended because of responsibilities it places on developed nations for cutting emissions beyond their existing pledges and to provide financial assistance to poorer countries, the BBC said.

De Boer said two other options are available to negotiators: creating a new document or engage in a "series of decisions: during the Copenhagen talks."

"All of the ingredients for success are on the table," de Boer said, "and what we must do now is to hold back from self-interest and let the common interest prevail."