2010-02-02 09:37:33 - Chief UN climate negotiator says recent submissions are a positive indication of progress for the Copenhagen Accord.

FinSoul has learned that a total of 55 countries including top emitters led by China and the United States have submitted targets for cuts on greenhouse gas emissions. These nations are collectively responsible for 80% of global carbon emissions.

The head of the United Nations Climate Change Secretariat, Yvo de Boer said of the recent submissions, "This represents an important invigoration of the U.N. climate change talks."

The targets submitted by the January 31 target under the Copenhagen Accord were mostly reiterations of commitments presented ahead of December’s UN summit in Denmark, which most felt was a disappointment as it failed to reach a legally binding climate change treaty.

Finsoul understands that the target submissions come from 55 of the total 195 UN

member nations and reflect 78% of emissions from energy consumption. The UN has indicated that the Jan 31 deadline was not an ironclad date and that other countries will still be able to submit plans later.

"Greater ambition is required to meet the scale of the challenge," FinSoul believes de Boer was quoted as saying."But I see these pledges as clear signals of willingness to move negotiations toward a successful conclusion."

The United Nations is hoping to achieve a tough legally binding climate pact at the next annual international climate summit to be held in Mexico City between 29 November and December 10 this year.