Environmental Group Criticizes India and Saudi Arabia for Role at UN Climate Talks

As this year's United Nations-led climate change conference comes to a close, the Environmental Investigation Agency (EIA) has issued a statement criticizing India and Saudi Arabia's failure to back an agreement designed to prevent the release of up to 100 billion metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent emissions by 2050.

The destruction of Typhoon Haiyan served as a grim backdrop to the 11-day conference, with Philippines' delegation Nadarev Sano initiating a fast in solidarity with the millions affected by one of the largest storms in recorded history to make landfall.

However, frustration among climate activists has run high in the face of increased corporate sponsorship and the nearby ongoings of a parallel conference with the World Coal Association, called the International Coal and Climate Summit.

Adding salt to the wound, the EIA reported, was "a decision that would have accelerated international cooperation under the Montreal Protocol on these chemicals was withdrawn at the last minute." The chemicals, known as hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), are used in refrigerants, aerosol propellants, solvents and fire retardants, and have been deemed "potent" greenhouse gases by the Environmental Protection Agency.  

Natasha Hurley, Global Environment Campaigner with EIA, was among those to vocalize her frustration over the agreement's failure.

"We're appalled at the lack of concrete actions on the table," she said. "We were expecting the tragedy in the Philippines to inject a sense of urgency into these talks."

According to Hurley, immediate action is needed not only to mitigate damage to the environment, but to the morale surroundings talks like those carried out during the last week and a half.

"A solution to the current deadlock hinges on countries' ability to take concrete actions to address climate change now," she said. "Accelerating an agreement on a global phase-down of [hydrofluorocarbons] under the Montreal Protocol would help build trust and a sense that the global climate talks really can deliver. "

The Global Carbon Project released a report this week stating that global carbon emissions are expected to rise to a record 36 billion metric tons this year, up 61 percent from 1990 levels.