Li Gao accused rich nations of failing to drive the negotiations forward as agreed in Bali in 2007, when the negotiations for the successor to the Kyoto Protocol were launched.
"Developed countries have neither enough active responses to proposals from developing countries about emission-cut targets by 2020, nor interest in providing funds and technologies to help developing countries adapt to climate change," Li Gao told Chinese News agency Xinhua.
He argued that at the moment the gap between rich and poor countries remains large on these issues, with some industrialised countries slow to offer emission cuts and others adopting targets well beyond what the international community requires.
China, alongside other developing nations, has called on developed countries to commit to slashing their emissions by at least 40% compared to 1990 levels by 2020. But major industrialised countries have not adhered to the call.
The EU is the only region to have set a binding 20% target, which it has pledged to raise to 30% if others follow suit.
The Chinese negotiator singled out the United States, which he said is effectively planning to delay its obligations under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change by 20 years. The US House of Representatives' draft climate bill suggests cutting emissions by 17% below 2005 levels, which is equivalent to 1990 levels: a cut that the climate convention required industrialised nations to make by 2020, he argued.
Furthermore, "some developed countries" have come up with proposals that contradict the principles of the Kyoto Protocol, which is "totally unacceptable", Li said. Attempts to impose emissions cuts place a burden on some developing nations and run contrary to the principle of "common but differentiated responsibility," threatening the chances of reaching an acceptable deal in Copenhagen, he said.
Technological cooperation
Li also chided developed countries for ignoring their obligations regarding low-carbon technologies and funds under the convention in past decades. He said inadequate development of clean technologies would deliver a major blow to global efforts to combat climate change as developing countries industrialise.
US climate change envoy Todd Stern is in Beijing this week to initiate a partnership on the climate and clean energy. He said that the US would "meet China halfway," Reuters reported.
According to reports from China, Chinese Vice Premier Li Keqiang welcomed enhanced cooperation at a meeting with Stern on Monday, but insisted on differentiated climate responsibilities for developing countries.
