Environment ministers from Brazil, South Africa, India and China met in Rio de Janeiro Monday ahead of December’s UN climate conference in Mexico. South African Environment Minister Buyelwa Sonjica criticized the US Senate for failing to pass legislation to cap carbon emissions.

Buyelwa Sonjica: “By the time we get to Cancún, they will not have completed the legislation. Clearly, we will get less than the legally binding outcome. And for us, that is a concern.”

Indian Environmental Minister Jairam Ramesh said the United States and other wealthy countries have failed to make good on promises for $30 billion in “fast track” financing for emissions reduction programs in poor countries.

Jairam Ramesh: “If money is not put on the table, which was the most important promise made by the developed countries, then it’s unlikely that we will have an outcome at Cancún. The key to Cancún lies not with the developing countries, it lies with the developed countries to fulfill their commitments on financing, which they had undertaken as part of the Copenhagen Accord.”