Developing nations return to climate change talks: EU

Last Updated: Monday, December 14, 2009 1:55 PM ET

The European Union said developing nations have ended their Monday boycott of United Nations climate change talks in Copenhagen, allowing negotiations to continue towards a new global treaty on responding to global warming.

EU environment spokesman Andreas Carlgren says informal negotiations have resolved the impasse and said the developing nations have found a solution to their dispute with rich nations, although it's unclear what brought them back to the table.

China, India and poorer nations walked out of the talks with demands that developed countries discuss deeper reductions of greenhouse gas emissions.

Formal working groups were cancelled at the 192-nation conference after developing countries called for the 1997 Kyoto Protocol to be extended past 2012, when it is expected to expire.

Kyoto imposed penalties on rich nations that did not comply with its strict emission limits but made no such binding agreements on developing nations. As well, Kyoto would not apply to non-signatories such as the United States.

Observers suggested the move was an attempt to put pressure on world leaders, many of whom are expected to arrive in Copenhagen on Tuesday.

"They are trying to put the pressure on", said Gustavo Silva-Chavez, a climate change specialist with the Environmental Defence Fund. "They want to make sure that developed countries are not left off the hook."

Canada's Environment Minister Jim Prentice told reporters on Monday the decision to boycott negotiations was "not particularly helpful" and said "we lost some important time today."

More than 100 world leaders, including Prime Minister Stephen Harper and U.S. President Barack Obama, are expected to arrive at the summit for a leader's conference.

The dragging negotiations have spurred protests from environmentalists in the Danish capital, with hundreds of police keeping a close eye on a demonstration that attracted over 3,000 activists.

More than 1,200 people were detained in weekend protests, although almost all were released after questioning.