SANTIAGO/LONDON/MADRID — Chile defended itself on Monday against criticism it was too weak in presiding over international climate change negotiations, saying it did all it could but that four big polluting countries got in the way. Chilean President Sebastien Pinera described as "insufficient" the agreements reached on Sunday after marathon talks, but said it was not for the host’s lack of trying and criticism of its role was unfair. "You have to convince 195 countries, and so if just one opposes, there is no agreement," Pinera said in comments to local media. When it came to rules governing carbon markets, he said: "The four big countries didn't accept the proposals." Pinera said he personally lobbied other presidents to reach a deal, but would not identify who he called and did not name the countries which he said blocked the deal.

Source: International New York Times December 16, 2019 21:45 UTC