“The planet is the clear winner, despite tremendous pressure first from the US administration, then from Russia , to slow down progress in curbing global warming,” said Jennifer Morgan , Director of WWF’s Global Climate Change Programme. “The decision in Montreal to move forward strengthens the efforts of countries, companies and cities in the US that are acting to reduce carbon pollution now.”

In May 2006, a new working group will take up this dialogue. However, climate conventions watchers warned not to be too optimistic about the agreement for post-2012 dialogues. For instance the Dutch state secretary of Environment, Pieter van Geel , said: “It is the first time that all countries, including the US and the developing countries, agree on future climate change policies. But this is only one necessary step. Regarding the urgency, this is not enough. We would have wanted concrete engagements. Climate change does not wait until 2012.”

Other important progress in Montreal was reported on several fields. The rules for the Kyoto Protocol, such as the Clean Development Mechanism for projects in developing countries, were sharply defined, while extra funds were promised to the poorest developing countries.

For a comprehensive overview of Montreal results, see also: http://unfccc.int/meetings/cop_11/items/3394.php.