German minister criticizes outcome of Bonn climate talks

German Environment Minister Carsten Schneider on Friday criticized the meagre outcome of this month's international climate conference in the German city of Bonn, arguing that the result does not do justice to the seriousness of the situation.

The 10-day negotiations, which involved more than 5,000 delegates, were part of preparations for the UN Climate Change Conference set to take place in Brazil this November. The talks ended on Thursday without any significant progress.

Schneider lamented that old lines of conflict, such as north versus south and energy transition drivers against fossil fuel blockers, still dominate.

"However, we can only get to grips with global warming if we work together. That's why we need to leave the old conflicts behind us," Schneider said.

He urged all countries to present new, improved climate plans this year to address the significant gap to the 1.5-degree limit.

Signatories to the 2015 Paris Agreement pledged to limit global warming to well below two degrees Celsius, preferably to 1.5 degrees, compared to pre-industrial levels.

Environmental organizations expressed disappointment at the sluggish pace of the negotiations in Bonn.

"I don't want to sugarcoat it - we still have a lot to do before we meet again in Belem," said UN Climate Chief Simon Stiell, referring to the World Climate Conference in Brazil.