Developing nations see Cancun climate deal tough

By Brian Ellsworth

RIO DE JANEIRO (Reuters) - Reaching a binding climate deal at the upcoming U.N. conference in Mexico will likely be difficult, delegates from a group of developing nations said on Monday, spurring further doubts about a global climate accord this year.

Environment ministers from Brazil, South Africa, India and China -- known as the BASIC group -- meeting in Rio de Janeiro said developed nations have not done enough to cut their own emissions or help poor countries reduce theirs.

Delays by the United States and Australia in implementing schemes to cut carbon emissions has added to gloomy sentiment about possible results from the Cancun meeting.

"If by the time we get to Cancun (U.S. senators) still have not completed the legislation then clearly we will get less than a legally binding outcome," said Buyelwa Sonjica, South Africa's Water and Environment Affairs minister.

"For us that is a concern, and we're very realistic about the fact that we may not" complete a legally binding accord, she said.

BASIC nations held deliberations on Sunday and Monday about upcoming climate talks, but the representatives said those talks did not yield a specific proposal on emissions reductions to be presented at the Cancun meeting.

"I think we're all a bit wiser after Copenhagen, our expectations for Cancun are realistic -- we cannot expect any miracles," said Indian Environment Minister Jairam Ramesh.

He added that countries have failed to make good on promises for $30 billion in "fast track" financing for emissions reduction programs in poor countries.