The world can still agree a deal in December to curb greenhouse gas emissions and prepare for a warmer world, co-chairs of a meeting of major polluters in London -- Britain and the United States -- said on Sunday, according to reuters. Sceptics argue a U.N. December deadline is now too tight as negotiators have so far failed to agree targets to cut greenhouse gas emissions and funds to help developing countries prepare for more extreme weather and rising seas. But Britain and the United States pointed to moves from both developed and developing countries including India, Indonesia, Japan and China. "You can look at that and conclude, as I do, there"s a deal to be had," said Washington"s top climate envoy Todd Stern, at the start of the Oct. 18-19 talks among major polluters. "I think a deal is quite possible. There are difficulties, but on the other hand not that many elements to put together a basic deal," he said, adding he was still aiming for December. The London meeting is the latest in a series of U.S.-initiated "major economies forum" (MEF) sessions, meant to support U.N. talks to agree a new pact to extend or replace the existing Kyoto Protocol at a Dec. 7-18 meeting in Copenhagen. Among proposed action, last month Indonesia said it would cut greenhouse gases by a quarter compared with current trends by 2020. Chinese premier Hu Jintao said Beijing would curb carbon emissions growth. --SP
