International development agency Christian Aid welcomes the last minute agreement in Bali that will enable negotiations to start towards an new climate change agreement starting in 2012 when the first commitment period of the Kyoto Protocol expires.

It is dismayed, however, that crucial target figures for cutting carbon emissions in rich countries were removed from the final agreement.

A reference to 25-40% cuts for industrialised countries by 2020 over 1990 levels was included in a draft agreement produced a week ago at the UN climate change conference.

The range reflected recommendations made in a report this year by the UN's Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change which said the cuts were essential to prevent global temperatures rising above two degrees. The cuts were also called for in a document agreed at an earlier meeting in Vienna of Kyoto Protocol signatories, including Britain.

In Bali, however, the inclusion of a specific range of targets - even non binding ones - was strongly resisted by the governments of the United States, Russia, Japan and Canada. Instead, today's agreement merely makes a footnote reference to the IPCC report.

Nelson Muffuh, a Christian Aid senior climate change policy analyst, said: " For most of the conference, the US delegation in particular proved a major obstacle to progress. They appeared to operate a wrecking policy, as though determined to derail the whole process.

" We welcome their last minute agreement to support the consensus in accepting the Bali roadmap, having said less than an hour earlier that it was unacceptable, and we sincerely hope they are serious in their stated desire to negotiate.

"But the way ahead will be hard. The Bush administration has said throughout that it wants to see developing countries agree to cuts in carbon emissions. A number of emerging economies put creative, flexible plans on the table, but will have little incentive to negotiate further until the industrialised world agrees deeper cuts.

"Climate change is already having a devastating impact on the lives of some of the world's poorest communities through drought and flooding. The lack of clear targets in the roadmap leaves them exposed to further catastrophe."

Progress was made in Bali on the transfer of clean technology to poorer nations and the provision of additional money to help those most exposed to climate change adapt and defend themselves. A pledge was also made to to protect forests in tropical countries. These developments, however, are eclipsed by the failure to introduce carbon cuts targets.

"We were expecting a roadmap, and we've got one," said Mr Muffuh. "But it lacks signposts, and there is no agreed destination."

For more information, contact Rachel Baird on 0207 523 2446 or rbaird@christian-aid.org

Notes to Editors:

1. Christian Aid works in some of the world's poorest communities in more than 50 countries. We act where the need is greatest, regardless of religion, helping people build the life they deserve