The New Nation - Internet Edition

AFP, Indonesia

Key industrial nations Japan and Canada appear to be moving away from binding emissions targets for rich nations in early talks at key a climate change conference, environmental groups warned Wednesday.

Nearly 190 countries have gathered at the UN meeting in Indonesia's Bali, which aims to see them agree to negotiate a new regime to combat climate change when the current phase of the Kyoto Protocol ends in 2012.

"There is a little concern about the positioning of Japan and Canada. Their proposals are really not building on the strengths of the Kyoto Protocol," said Angela Ledford Anderson, of the US-based National Environment Trust.

She said Japan had revived the idea of a system whereby a country pledges to reduce emissions, and the international community reviews their progress, rather than committing to mandatory targets.