Action on Global Warming Urged; No Targets Are Set

A U.N. conference ended Wednesday with a declaration committing governments to a “global response” to global warming but stopping short of setting targets to control the greenhouse gases that cause it.

The 30-point declaration included an appeal for an international global-warming treaty with “real commitments” and a pledge to provide developing countries with funds to deal with the issue.

The 10-day World Climate Conference, attended by representatives of 137 countries, was intended to set the stage for negotiations opening in Washington in February on an international treaty to be ready for signing in mid-1992.

In a joint statement, 40 environmental groups expressed “severe disappointment” at the outcome.

“In the name of ‘compromise,’ they failed to meet their responsibility of committing industrial nations to reduce their emissions of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases,” the statement said.

The United States, which led opposition against any target-setting, considered the U.N. declaration a “good compromise,” said its chief delegate, John Knauss.

Knauss said any policy decisions “must be based on the best available economic and sociological, as well as scientific, information.”