"It's such a shame," said the David Suzuki Foundation's Dale Marshall. "Canadians are saying they want to see action on climate change, and the world's foremost decision-makers are saying it's possible to fix the environment and the economy at the same time. We have Obama saying yes we can, and Canada says, no we won't."

The U.S. position is shifting with the election of Barack Obama, who though absent from these talks, has indicated a willingness to bring the U.S. back into the international fold.

"We have been very encouraged by the Chinese government's movement, but when a country like Canada refuses to participate, it's very difficult to maintain momentum," said Hou Yanli, Director, Global Climate Initiative, WWF China.

"One of the richest countries in the world is blocking progress. Industrialized countries like Canada must show leadership," said Moussa Na Abau Mamouda of ENDA Third World, Dakar, Senegal.

"It's so disappointing. Canadians expect better," said Joy Kennedy of the United Church of Canada. "We used to be proud of Canada's leadership on the world stage. We used to exercise moral authority in times of crisis. Now it's painful to watch Canada behaving as if climate change is not a crisis-even in our own country, particularly the far North."