Sarkozy Fails to Find Consensus on Climate Pact

(06 Dec 08 - RV) French President Nicolas Sarkozy and eastern European leaders today failed to break a deadlock on a European Union plan to cut greenhouse gas emissions.

Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk said the meeting of nine east European leaders with Sarkozy, whose country holds the rotating EU presidency, made a step forward but that there was still much work to be done before a Dec. 11-12 EU summit.

The EU is aiming to replace the 1997 Kyoto Protocol on reducing carbon emissions.

Scientists say that emissions must drop dramatically at soon by as much as 50 to 80 per cent by 2050.

Monsignor James Reinhart at the Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace says that the church teaches that we must protect creation.