The meeting of six Asia-Pacific countries planning to tackle climate change independently of the United Nations-brokered Kyoto protocol ended on Thursday with only a small financial commitment on the part of the developed nations involved.

The US and Australia agreed to spend a combined US$127m over several years to support new low-carbon projects within the partnership. The sum ? comprising Aus$100m over five years from the Australian government and US$52m in 2007 ? was greeted with derision by environmental groups. However, government ministers said they also expected many private sector companies to participate in the partnership.