4 countries discuss climate change in Brazil

BRASILIA, Brazil (AP) — Representatives of Brazil, South Africa, India and China are meeting to define a common position ahead of November's United Nations' climate change conference in Doha.

The four countries form the bloc known as BASIC that acts jointly in international climate change meetings.

Brazilian negotiator Luiz Alberto Figueiredo says one of the main topics being discussed in the meeting that ends on Friday is the future of the 1997 emission- limiting Kyoto Protocol that requires industrialized countries to slash emissions.

He told reporters that the BASIC bloc wants to extend the Kyoto Protocol, which is due to expire at the end of this year, to 2020.

The protocol is aimed at stemming pollution and global warming that has been opposed by the United States.