Expectations are not high for the United Nations’ climate talks underway in Cancun, Mexico, but delegates hope to make some progress on laying the groundwork for a new agreement to address global warming.

The conference, for instance, is looking for a way to ensure that nations follow through on pledges made a year ago in Copenhagen to reduce emissions of greenhouse gases. Some system of monitoring and enforcement should be an essential part of the international climate effort, because it’s likely that some participating countries (perhaps even the United States) will be slow to achieve their goals.

Delegates are also discussing how to establish the climate aid fund promised by developed nations in Copenhagen. Funding pledged at $100 billion a year by 2020 is to be used to help developing nations adapt to a changing climate, and the harsh weather and flooding that is in the long-range forecast.

The conference has also provided a forum for the U.S. and developing nations, particularly China, to resolve deep disagreements over measuring, reporting and verifying efforts to reduce greenhouse gases. If China accepts its responsibility to share in an international effort to reduce carbon dioxide and other emissions, it will be a major step toward addressing global warming. It will also remove from the table one of the major U.S. talking points against the Kyoto Protocol.

Delegates participating in the U.N. climate conference are right to concentrate on laying the groundwork for future accomplishments, and eventually a new treaty to replace Kyoto. As the threats posed by global warming become more apparent, the world cannot afford to let any opportunity for progress slip by.

— Questions? Comments? Contact Managing Editor Nick Cowenhoven at nickc@journaltribune.com.