Today at the Bonn talks, Canada confirmed that it has no intention of renewing the Kyoto Protocol beyond 2012. Canada will not be taking a target under the second commitment period. The prospects of a 2012 deal at the UNFCCC seem increasingly unlikely. Last week, Christiana Figueres, head of the UN Climate Secretariat concluded that there is no longer any time between Durban and 2012 to develop a new legally binding text, which will likely lead to a gap in the global climate governance regime.

Moreover, the US which remains the largest emitter of GHGs in the world, continues to push for a  voluntary approach to emissions reductions. It also refuses to sign any agreement without China committing to emissions reductions, as well. However, China, which is now the second largest emitter in the world, has explicitly stated that it has no intention to take any action that will curb its economic growth.  As such, the international climate talks have reached a stalemate and solutions to bring down global emissions continue to remain unlikely from the UNFCCC process.
Follow the talks and read more at Reuters.