Dec. 17, 2007 The United Nations climate talks in Bali, Indonesia, have wrapped up with 190 nations agreeing on next steps toward an international climate pact to pick up where the Kyoto Protocol leaves off. The final draft agreement sets the stage for negotiations on a new treaty to take effect in 2013.

Here's a brief rundown of the key takeaways, as reported by Reuters.

• Emissions targets remain vague. In the face of U.S. opposition, the EU backed down from its original recommendation to cut emissions by 25%-40% from 1990 levels by 2020. The final draft of the Bali agreement outlines six emissions-reduction targets but fails to offer guidance as to which goal the signatories should aim for.


• Developed vs. developing countries. The draft states that "deep cuts in global emissions will be required" to prevent a dangerous climate shift, although guidelines vary according to a country's level of industrialization. Developed countries should consider "quantified emission limitation and reduction objectives," and "nationally appropriate mitigation commitments or actions," while developing countries should consider "measurable, reportable, and verifiable nationally appropriate mitigation actions."


• Help for developing nations. Noting that many developing countries are already feeling the negative effects of global warming, the draft calls for "urgent implementation of [climate-]adaptation actions." Developed countries are strongly encouraged to share their climate-adaptation technologies with developing nations and to offer financial support for their implementation in the developing world.
  

A new U.N. group will begin work supervising the new deal by April 2008.