London focus for climate change countdown
MEF has already achieved 2C consensus on limiting global warming
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Sunday, 18, Oct 2009 12:01
By Alex Stevenson
There are 50 days to go until vital climate change negotiations begin in Copenhagen, with 17 of the world's biggest economies meeting in London this weekend.
The latest meeting of the Major Economies Forum (MEF) follows previous summits in L'Aquila and Washington DC. Barack Obama established the MEF earlier this year in a bid to provide "a more informal discussion space" on a range of issues, including climate change.
With crucial talks to replace the Kyoto treaty due in Copenhagen in December, energy and climate change secretary Ed Miliband is anxious to use this weekend's talks to make progress.
"We are determined to throw everything at it to get a successful deal in Copenhagen," he told journalists.
"This meeting... is about narrowing the gaps [between countries]... We are trying to do what has never been done before which is turn around the inexorable rise in global emissions and come out of Copenhagen with an agreement that shows emissions falling not rising.
"That is tough and clearly very difficult but I remain optimistic."
While not formally linked to the looming United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change talks, the MEF is being viewed as an opportunity to make progress on a number of issues.
The fundamental problem of how to finance emissions cuts in developing countries is the "starting point for this week's discussions".
The purpose is "not to come out with a formal agreement... but is to narrow down issues on which there is disagreement", Mr Miliband added.
The MEF already has an impressive track record. In L'Aquila representatives turned the scientific consensus on climate change - limiting global warming to 2C - into the political consensus.
The Prince of Wales will address representatives of all the participating nations in a speech on the importance of forestry to climate change this evening. MEF talks will conclude tomorrow.