Biodiversity worries over climate talks

could be used to force large and unquantified emission cuts on them in the future. Governments in both Europe and America are now softening their call for a global target of halving emissions by 2050, in an attempt to build a consensus around a less ambitious deal. Todd Stern, the US special envoy for climate change, hinted of the softening stance at a meeting in London last month. " Our view at the G8 in July was that there ought to be both a developed country number and a worldwide number: 80 per cent for developed countries, 50 per cent worldwide. We still think that, " he said. But he added, " I don't know whether that is going to be included or not ". Next month's meeting in Copenhagen to discuss greenhouse gas emissions is creating awareness of climate change and wider issues. Nigel Williams reports. The talks on curbing greenhouse gas emissions in Copenhagen will necessarily be wide-ranging and complex. Their importance was highlighted last month by a dramatic publicity stunt by the Maldives government, who held a cabinet meeting on the seabed, six metres below the sea surface. The Maldives is one of the most vulnerable countries to sea-level rise, lying mostly just a couple of metres above sea level. But there are many other issues. Carbon trading has been developed in an attempt to offset fossil fuel consumption by investment in plantings that will absorb carbon. But in the detail of such plans, there is growing concern that the planet's biodiversity, particularly in forests, already challenged, will face further threats. Developed countries are preparing to relent on their demand that developing countries agree to long-term cuts in greenhouse gas emissions in a concession that could form the basis of a global deal on climate change. The demand was one of five key elements that rich countries wanted for a deal at the international climate change summit in Copenhagen next month. But major emerging economies, led by China and India, refused to accept it, worrying it Submerged: The Maldives cabinet holds a meeting underwater to highlight the threat to the low-lying country from climate change.