Xie Zhenhua, vice-director of China’s National Development and Reform Commission said Tuesday that economic turmoil in Europe and unrest in North Africa should not block a new pact to fight climate change before upcoming talks in South Africa, Reuters reported. Delegates from 200 countries will meet at the annual UN-led climate negotiations from November 28 until December 9 in Durban. “Climate change isn’t unimportant at this stage, but it isn’t so salient, and I think it will again draw the attention of the global community in 2015 after the (new round of) scientific assessments are carried out,” said Xie. He added that the US$30 billion commitment made in Cancun last year is unlikely to be met, but expressed hope that mechanisms for a green climate fund could be established this year. The Chinese official reiterated the country’s support to extend the Kyoto Protocol beyond its first “commitment period” which will end in 2012, despite opposition from many developed nations.
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