Emissions controls needed after Kyoto protocol, environmentalists say

Photo: Emissions controls needed after Kyoto protocol, environmentalists say

The representatives, who met in Bonn, Germany for eight days, also explored how new technologies and assistance from the private sector could be used to help nations reduce greenhouse gas emissions, the AP reports.

"There is a strong sense of urgency and there's clear consensus that there should be no gap after 2012, when the first commitment period ends," said Michael Zammit Cutajar, who chaired the session, said in a statement.

"Developing countries, which will be hit hardest by climate change, are pushing for rapid agreement on deeper emission cuts," said Richard Kinley, the acting head of the U.N. Climate Change Secretariat, which hosted the talks.

The Kyoto Protocol, which took effect in February 2004, mandates cutbacks in 35 industrialized nations of emissions of carbon dioxide and five other gases by 2012 in an effort to curb the effects of global warming. The U.S. has rejected the accord.