By Kim Chisnall
A secret document leaked at the climate talks in Copenhagen shows emission cuts pledged so far fall a long way short of what is needed.
The document, obtained by the Associated Press, says global warming will rise by 50 percent more than the 2degC target demanded by developed nations.
Hillary Clinton arrived today with a grand gesture to break the deadlock, but the rift between the developed and developing countries is dangerously wide.
Outside the conference centre, temperatures stayed below freezing and the snow refused to melt. Inside, world leaders were facing their own winter of discontent.
"I fear a triumph of form over substance," says Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd. "I fear a triumph of inaction over action."
The mood in Copenhagen is frantic, and security has been stepped up with so many world leaders milling around. Twenty-two thousand lobbyists have passes to be here, but tomorrow only 90 will be allowed through the doors.
With less than 48 hours to go the United States' strategy to push the talks along was to splash the cash.
"The United States is prepared to work with other countries towards a goal of jointly mobilising US$100 billion dollars a year by 2020 to address the climate change needs of developing countries," says Clinton.
It is money that comes with a catch - China must provide evidence of its efforts to cut emissions, but it has refused to agree to transparency - creating one of the biggest stalemates of Copenhagen.
Another stumbling block comes from a country in New Zealand's backyard.
The tiny pacific island of Tuvalu won't sign a deal that caps temperature rises at 2degC, insisting on a limit of 1.5degC.
The plight of the 12,000 people of Tuvalu, which lies no more than 2m above sea level, has made it the media darling of the conference - but New Zealand's Climate Change Minister Nick Smith wasn't so impressed.
"A little country like Tuvalu, that sure has a lot at stake, but by my view who has by behaving badly in the procedures resulted in less than what could be achieved," he says.
The conference is in such a shambles there were even rumours circulating that US president Barack Obama wouldn't bother turning up.
"The president is planning on coming tomorrow, obviously we hope there will be something to come for," says Clinton.
It is a reassurance of sorts from the US Secretary of State, but even if Obama is coming as planned, these are nervous times for the leaders of the world as they stare dismal failure in the face.
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