The competing interests and demands
CHINA
EMISSIONS:6.8bn tonnes, 5.5 tonnes per capita
WHAT IT WILL GIVE: The world's top greenhouse gas emitter, China has pledged to cut the carbon intensity of its economy (the amount of carbon dioxide emitted for each unit of gross domestic product) by 40 to 45 per cent by 2020, compared to 2005. But this domestic voluntary target would still allow emissions to grow substantially over the next decade.
WHAT IT WANTS FROM OTHERS: China says developed countries' targets to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions are not deep enough. It expects average cuts of 40 per cent from 1990 levels by 2020 and wants a promise of far more aid and green technology.
UNITED STATES
EMISSIONS:6.4bn tonnes, 21 tonnes per capita
WHAT IT WILL GIVE: The US has promised to cut 2005 emissions by 17 per cent by 2020. But this translates into a reduction of about 3 or 4 per cent below 1990 levels, the benchmark year used in the Kyoto Protocol. The US has also said it would extend cuts to 30 per cent below 2005 levels by 2025, 40 per cent by 2030 and 83 per cent by 2050. Legislation to cut emissions by 20 per cent from 2005 levels is stalled in the full Senate.
US secretary of state Hillary Clinton announced in Copenhagen yesterday that the US is prepared to work with other countries to mobilise $100 billion (€69.8 billion) a year by 2020 to address the climate change needs of developing countries.
On Wednesday, the US pledged $1 billion as part of a $3.5 billion scheme of initial financing towards slowing deforestation, a major contributor to climate change. Australia, France, Japan, Norway and Britain are also part of the forest protection plan.
WHAT IT WANTS FROM OTHERS: US President Barack Obama says he wants an accord in Copenhagen that covers all the issues and that has immediate operational effect. But Mrs Clinton made clear yesterday that the US expected China to be fully transparent in the measurement, reporting and verification of its pledge to curb CO2 emissions – a demand vigorously resisted by China on sovereignty grounds; she described this as a deal-breaker.
EUROPEAN UNION
EMISSIONS:5.03bn tonnes, 10.2 tns per capita
WHAT IT WILL GIVE: EU leaders agreed in December 2008 to cut emissions by 20 per cent below 1990 levels by 2020 and by 30 per cent if other developed countries – notably the US – follow suit.
EU leaders have estimated that developing nations will need about €100 billion a year by 2020 to help them curb emissions and adapt to changes such as floods or heatwaves. Last week, they agreed to provide developing countries with €7.3 billion in fast-start aid between 2010 and 2012. Ireland’s contribution to this funding would be up to €100 million.
WHAT IT WANTS FROM OTHERS: The EU wants major developing countries such as China and India to curb the rise of their emissions by 15 to 30 per cent below a "business as usual" scenario by 2020. It also supports the US position that these efforts should be transparent.
RUSSIA
EMISSIONS:1.7bn tonnes, 11.9 tns per capita
WHAT IT WILL GIVE: Russia has said it would cut its emissions by 22 to 25 per cent below 1990 levels by 2020. But since they were already 34 per cent below 1990 levels in 2007, this translates into an increase.
Russia is seeking to retain millions of tonnes it has built up in carbon credits under the Kyoto Protocol and sell this hot air on the international carbon market, potentially flooding it.
INDIA
EMISSIONS:1.4bn tonnes, 1.2 tonnes per capita
WHAT IT WILL GIVE: India aims to cut its carbon intensity by between 20 and 25 per cent by 2020 from 2005 levels, but it has declined to set a year when emissions will peak.
WHAT IT WANTS FROM OTHERS: Like China, India wants rich nations to cut emissions by 40 per cent below 1990 levels by 2020 – although Indian environment minister Jairam Ramesh said in Copenhagen this week: "It's a negotiation. We've given a number of 40 per cent but one has to be realistic."
JAPAN
EMISSIONS:1.4bn tonnes, 11 tonnes per capita
WHAT IT WILL GIVE: Japan will cut emissions by 25 per cent below 1990 levels by 2020 if Copenhagen agrees an ambitious deal. Japanese prime minister Yukio Hatoyama pledged last week to provide $10.8 billion in short-term aid between 2010 and 2012, but made no commitment to long-term financing.
AFRICAN COUNTRIES
EMISSIONS:Negligible
WHAT THEY WILL GIVE: On Wednesday, the African group of countries scaled back demands for climate finance from developed countries, signalling agreement on a core obstacle in UN talks. Ethiopian prime minister Meles Zenawi, president of the African Union, supported $100 billion in annual funding by 2020 from developed countries to help the developing world fight climate change and adapt to its impact.
WHAT THEY WANT FROM OTHERS: Many African nations want developed nations to cut greenhouse gas emissions by 45 per cent below 1990 levels by 2020 as part of a goal of limiting global warming to a maximum of 1.5 degrees above pre-industrial times – also the demand of vulnerable small island states. They argue that an average increase of two degrees would condemn parts of Africa to a 3.5-degree rise, threatening life, food supply and the environment.
Compiled by Janet McBride of Reuters, edited by environment editor Frank McDonald