Germany`s Merkel defends climate accord

German Chancellor Angela Merkel has defended the much-criticised outcome of Copenhagen climate summit.

Berlin: German Chancellor Angela Merkel is
defending the much-criticised outcome of the Copenhagen
climate summit as a first step that paves the way for action.

Merkel was quoted today as telling the Bild am Sonntag
newspaper that "Copenhagen is a first step toward a new world
climate order, no more, but also no less.``

The climate conference ended yesterday with only a
nonbinding "Copenhagen Accord" that was short on concrete
steps against global warming but signaled a new start for
rich-poor cooperation on climate change.

Merkel said that "anyone who just badmouths Copenhagen
now is engaging in the business of those who are applying the
brakes rather than moving forward."

She added that the Copenhagen accord "must now be built
upon."

PTI