United Nations predicts delay over future climate change deal

The conclusion of a new greenhouse gas emissions treaty could take up to a year after next month’s Copenhagen climate change summit, say United Nations officials. There appears to be growing acceptance that the divisions between countries will delay the signing of any binding treaty to succeed the Kyoto protocol. Copenhagen is now expected to produce a “political deal” rather than a definitive legal agreement. The current provisions of the Kyoto protocol expire in 2012.