A group of rapidly growing carbon emitters, considered crucial to reaching a global agreement on climate change, is now open to discussing the future of the Kyoto Protocol in order to gain the support of the United States. The Kyoto Protocol currently requires around 40 wealthy nations to reduce emissions by 2008-2012, and developing countries are pushing for a stronger second commitment period. However, many developed nations are against this demand and want to replace Kyoto with a new agreement that includes emerging markets like India and China. The upcoming meeting of the environment ministers from Brazil, South Africa, India, and China - known as the BASIC nations - will focus on building trust with wealthy nations, according to the agenda obtained by Reuters. The question remains: How much longer will the Kyoto Protocol remain in effect? The agenda for the upcoming meeting in South Africa on April 25-26 includes discussing the possibility of a shorter second commitment period focused on securing carbon markets. Another topic on the agenda is considering what would replace the Kyoto Protocol if there is no second commitment period. Negotiations for a global deal to combat climate change have been hindered by a lack of trust between wealthier and less affluent nations regarding their respective responsibilities. Officials are not very optimistic about a comprehensive agreement in Mexico in November. Therefore, if the BASIC nations are willing to compromise on the Kyoto Protocol, it could help move negotiations forward and bring the United States, which never ratified the protocol, on board. According to an Indian negotiator, the agenda is practical and focused on exploring all possibilities for a beneficial agreement. The BASIC meeting will also consider incorporating elements of the Copenhagen Accord, a non-binding agreement aimed at limiting global warming to under 2 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels and providing $100 billion in aid by 2020, into the current negotiation process. The text discusses the steps taken by numerous countries, including major greenhouse gas emitters, to reduce their emissions by 2020. The original goal of the Copenhagen conference was to establish a global agreement to replace the Kyoto Protocol. The upcoming South Africa meeting will address the potential expansion of the BASIC bloc and the usefulness of groups like the G20 and Major Economies Forum for negotiations. Developing nations are pushing for dual-track negotiations, one focusing on a Kyoto successor starting in 2013 and the other on long-term climate change actions for all countries.