EU talks up chances of Copenhagen technology deal

Developing countries are reportedly willing to drop demands for reform to intellectual property (IP) rules that would allow them to freely manufacture clean technologies developed in rich nations, in an attempt to kick-start the stalled Copenhagen talks.

EU officials told the Financial Times that several of the world's largest emerging economies have softened their long-standing position on IP and are now openly discussing collaboration on the development of clean technologies, rather than the unconditional transfer of new designs and technologies.

One EU official told the paper that the "language of the discourse" on technology transfer had changed in the past few weeks, while another unnamed official at the European Commission confirmed that there was "more mutuality" between industrialised and non-industrialised nations on the topic.

The revelations are the latest in a series of boosts for the Copenhagen talks, which have been deadlocked for several months over the issue of carbon emission targets and climate change funding.

Many observers remain skeptical that an agreement on the key issues of emission targets and finance can be reached at the UN summit in December with growing numbers predicting that an additional meeting may be scheduled for the New Year.

However, recent developments have given cause for optimism, with White House officials signalling that they remain optimistic the US can pass a climate bill before the talks and the Obama administration preparing to meet with Chinese and Indian officials to help end the stand off between the world's biggest greenhouse gas emitters.

In related news, Finland yesterday became the latest country to announce binding emission targets, pledging to cut emissions by 80 per cent on 1990 levels by 2050.

"Unmitigated climate change may result in immense human suffering and destroy ecosystems," the Finnish government said in a statement. "To minimise the risks and harm, the government supports efforts to limit global warming over the period (to 2050) to two degrees Celsius at most."

Meanwhile, Brazil has underlined its commitment to securing a new climate change deal at Copenhagen, signalling plans this week for ambitious new climate change strategies.

Brazilian environment minister Carlos Minc said the country would be willing to cap greenhouse gas emissions at 2005 levels, while president Lula Da Silva said the government would aim for an 80 per cent reduction in deforestation by 2020. More detailed plans are now expected to be unveiled early next week.

Brazil is the latest in a line of emerging economies to set out detailed emission reduction plans, after Indonesia's president Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono announced late last month that his country would aim to cut emissions by 26 per cent against business-as-usual levels by 2020, primarily through tackling deforestation.