KATHMANDU: The European Commission today said the chances for the Copenhagen climate summit to adopt a full-fledged treaty are minimal. With less than two weeks remaining for the much-awaited meet, the countries are busy preparing their agenda to be presented on the occasion.

“EC is clear on the issue of climate change and urges all concerned to reach a consensus on reducing green house gas emission,” said Robert Donkers, Minister Counsellor for Environment at the Delegation of the European Commission to India, Bhutan and Nepal.

Amid speculations that the Copenhagen meeting will be a failure, the EC said a dramatic consensus is unlikely in the present condition. However, the EC disclosed its stance for the summit saying that the Copenhagen agreement needs to include provisions on the arguable claim

that two-degree rise in

temperature is tolerable for the world.

Data shows that global temperature is rising at an alarming rate. Global surface temperature increased by 0.74 degrees during the 20th century. Countries like Nepal are in favour of only upto 1.5 degrees rise in temperature.

America, one of the largest emitters of green house gases, has not signed the Kyoto protocol yet.

“Americans believe that they are always right while Europeans are of the opinion that if the climate issue is not addressed, none will be spared from its devastating consequences,” added Donkers. “Let’s hope America will not betray the world this time around.”

EC has urged the world leaders to differentiate the role of the nations on cutting the green house gases through actions but not the categories such developed, developing or least developed nations.

Presenting a paper, Donkers accused countries such as India and China of not presenting a concrete action plan. Huge developing nations like them are ready to blame developed nations for climate change but unwilling to cut their GHG emissions.