Binding climate deal expected in 2010 as Copenhagen conference approaches end

UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Tuesday called on negotiators at the climate talks in Copenhagen to complete a legally binding climate treaty "as early as possible in 2010."

"Our goal is to lay the foundation for a legally binding climate treaty as early as possible in 2010," Ban told the opening session of the high level segment of the UN climate change conference.

"The stronger the agreement here in Copenhagen, the sooner it can be transformed into a legally binding treaty," he said.

Many countries are demanding a deal coming out of Copenhagen. But divisions between developed and developing nations over greenhouse gas emission reduction targets and financing were eroding chances of such a deal.

"The time for delay and blame is over," Ban told reporters later.

He said a deadline must be set soon for turning any politically binding agreement reached in Copenhagen into a legally binding treaty. "This deadline cannot be left hanging."

While calling to expedite the negotiating process, the UN chief insisted that the result of the Copenhagen talks should be "strong, robust and substantive."


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