Copenhagen Climate deal melting?

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The world is showing only lukewarm enthusiasm for a "Copenhagen Accord" to curb climate change, with no sign so far of deeper-than-planned 2020 curbs on greenhouse gas emissions before a January 31 deadline. In Brussels, a draft European Union letter on Friday showed plans for the 27-nation bloc to reiterate a minimum offer of a 20 percent cut in emissions by 2020 below 1990 levels, pleasing industry, and a 30 percent cut if other nations act comparably.

The world is showing only lukewarm enthusiasm for a "Copenhagen Accord" to curb climate change, with no sign so far of deeper-than-planned 2020 curbs on greenhouse gas emissions before a January 31 deadline.

In Brussels, a draft European Union letter on Friday showed plans for the 27-nation bloc to reiterate a minimum offer of a 20 percent cut in emissions by 2020 below 1990 levels, pleasing industry, and a 30 percent cut if other nations act comparably.

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Other countries are likely to do the same after last month's Copenhagen summit ended with a low-ambition accord. No nations have since announced radically tougher plans for action.

"I think that countries are going to stick to their ranges," said Nick Mabey, head of the E3G think-tank in London. He said it was too early for an overhaul of national goals.

"It's almost like the beginning of a new negotiation," said Gordon Shepherd, director of international policy at the WWF environmental group.

Many countries were still torn between showing "a burst of enthusiasm" to rebuild momentum after Copenhagen and "complete caution," taking time to review next moves, he said.

Few countries have so far sent letters to the U.N. Climate Change Secretariat before a January 31 deadline for outlining goals for 2020 set by the Copenhagen Accord, which was worked out by major emitters led by China and the United States.

Article continues: http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE60L4ZZ20100122