There are just over four weeks to go before the Copenhagen conference intended to agree a new international framework for controlling greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. The final round of preparatory talks in Barcelona has revealed deep divisions between some of the key participants. Use this table to study their positions.
There are just over four weeks to go before the Copenhagen conference intended to agree a new international framework for controlling greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. The final round of preparatory talks in Barcelona has revealed deep divisions between some of the key participants. Use this table to study their positions.
Country
What's on the table
Climate facts (2007)
Public opinion
China -->"Developed countries should support developed countries in tackling climate change." President Hu Jintao, 22/9/09 and
unless you want to remove the list -->
Wants rich countries to reduce emissions to 40% below 1990 level by 2020
Says they should pay 1% of their GDP per year to help other countries adapt
Promises to emit "notably" less CO2 per unit of GDP by 2020
Wants West to provide low-carbon technology
May be ready to name a date when China's emissions will peak
and
unless you want to remove the list -->
The world's biggest GHG producer (20.7% of global emissions, 8,106mt of CO2 equivalent)
Emissions per head: 30th in the world (6t of CO2 equivalent)
GDP (2008): $4.3tn
Amount of GHG emitted per $1m of GDP: 1,152t
Kyoto: Signed as a developing country so not obliged to cut emissions
and -->How serious a threat is global warming to you and your family?Very/Somewhat seriousNot very/Not at all seriousUnited States -->"We understand the gravity of the climate threat. We are determined to act. And we will meet our responsibility to future generations." Barack Obama, US president, 22/9/09 and
unless you want to remove the list -->
Resisting demands to pledge quantified emissions cuts
Against Kyoto-style treaty imposing international legal obligations
Insists China, India, South Africa and Brazil must commit to slow growth of emissions
Climate bill - which would bring cuts of 4% from 1990 levels by 2020 - is bogged down in Senate
and
unless you want to remove the list -->
The world's second-biggest GHG producer (15.5% of global emissions, 6,087mt of CO2 equivalent)
Emissions per head: Fifth in the world (20t of CO2 equivalent)
GDP (2008): $14.2tn
Amount of GHG emitted per $1m of GDP: 441t
Kyoto: signed, but never ratified
and -->How serious a threat is global warming to you and your family?Very/Somewhat seriousNot very/Not at all seriousEU -->"We are going to over-achieve our Kyoto targets." Stavros Dimas, EU environment commissioner, 27/10/09The EU is a grouping of 27 European states and
unless you want to remove the list -->
Aspires to play "leading role" at Copenhagen
Will cut emissions by 20% from 1990 levels by 2020, or 30% if other big emitters take tough action
Wants rich nations to make 80-95% cut by 2050
Wants poorer nations to slow emissions growth
Says they face costs of $150bn per year by 2020, of which EU will pay $7bn-22bn from public finances
and
unless you want to remove the list -->
The world's third-biggest GHG producer (11.8% of global emissions, 4,641mt CO2 equivalent)
Emissions per head: 17th in the world (9t of CO2 equivalent)
GDP (2008): $18.3tn
Amount of GHG emitted per $1m of GDP: 315t
Kyoto: Signed - has to get average emissions for 2008-2012 8% below 1990 level
and -->How serious a threat is global warming to you and your family?Very/Somewhat seriousNot very/Not at all serious(Results represent the median of 23 out of the 27 EU states polled by Gallup)India -->"Internationally legally binding [greenhouse gas] reduction targets are for developed countries and developed countries alone." Jairam Ramesh, India's environment minister, 21/10/09 and
unless you want to remove the list -->
Agrees to limit growth of GHG emissions but will not commit to binding targets
Says rich countries are to blame for climate change and points to big gap in per capita emissions
Wants deep cuts in rich country emissions, firm funding pledges and technology transfer
Keen on preserving Kyoto-style legal obligations for developing countries
and
unless you want to remove the list -->
The world's sixth-biggest GHG producer (5% of global emissions, 1,963mt of CO2 equivalent)
Emissions per head: 66th in the world (2t of CO2 equivalent)
GDP (2008): $1.2tn
Amount of GHG emitted per $1m of GDP: 655t
Kyoto: Signed as a developing country, so not obliged to cut emissions
and -->How serious a threat is global warming to you and your family?Very/Somewhat seriousNot very/Not at all seriousJapan -->"We think developing countries are also required to make an effort to reduce greenhouse gases." Yukio Hatoyama Japan's prime minister, 7/9/09 and
unless you want to remove the list -->
Will cut emissions to 25% below 1990 levels by 2020, if other countries show similar ambition
This amounts to a cut of 30% in 10 years, and is opposed by industry
"Hatoyama initiative" will increase financial and technical assistance to developing countries
Backs proposals in which each country would set its own commitments
and
unless you want to remove the list -->
The world's seventh-biggest GHG producer (3.3% of global emissions, 1,293mt of CO2 equivalent)
Emissions per head: 15th in the world (10t of CO2 equivalent)
GDP (2008): $4.9tn
Amount of GHG emitted per $1m of GDP: 301t
Kyoto: Signed - has to get average emissions for 2008-2012 6% below 1990 level
and -->How serious a threat is global warming to you and your family?Very/Somewhat seriousNot very/Not at all seriousAfrican union -->"We are prepared to walk out of any negotiations that threaten to be another rape of the continent." Meles Zenawi of Ethiopia, 3/9/09The African Union is a grouping of 52 African states and
unless you want to remove the list -->
Like China, wants rich countries legally bound to cut emissions to 40% below 1990 level by 2020
Describes 20 to 30% cuts as "unacceptable"
Wants rich countries to pay 0.5% of GDP to help developing countries tackle climate change
Wants $67bn per year for adaptation in Africa
Threatening to walk out if demands are not met
and
unless you want to remove the list -->
The AU accounts for 8.1% of global emissions (3,164mt of CO2 equivalent)
Emissions per head: 4t of CO2 equivalent
GDP (2008): $34bn
Amount of GHG emitted per $1m of GDP: 1,361t
Kyoto: African nations signed as developing countries so are not obliged to cut emissions
and -->How serious a threat is global warming to you and your family?Sample state, Kenya:Very/Somewhat seriousNot very/Not at all seriousGulf states -->"We are among the most economically vulnerable countries." Mohammad S. Al Sabban, Saudi Arabia's lead negotiator 8/10/09 Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, UAE and
unless you want to remove the list -->
Opec and Saudi Arabia seeking financial aid for oil-producers if new agreement requires cuts of fossil fuels
Keen on a deal that would advance use of carbon capture and storage
In 2007 Opec members pledged $750m to fund climate change research
Qatar and Abu Dhabi investing heavily in clean energy technology
and
unless you want to remove the list -->
Gulf states account for 2.3% of global emissions (894mt of CO2 equivalent)
Emissions per head: 25t of CO2 equivalent
GDP (2008): $468bn
Amount of GHG emitted per $1m of GDP: 875t
Kyoto: All Gulf States signed as a developing countries and so they are not obliged to cut emissions
and -->How serious a threat is global warming to you and your family?Sample state, Saudi Arabia:Very/Somewhat seriousNot very/Not at all seriousSmall islands -->"The days of little money in the face of big problems are over." Dessima Williams, head of the Alliance of Small Island States (Aosis), 9/10/09Aosis is a bloc of 42 island and coastal states mostly in the Pacific and Caribbean and
unless you want to remove the list -->
Regard rising sea level as threat to their existence
Seek to limit temperature rise to 1.5 degrees above preindustrial levels
Want concentration of CO2 in atmosphere lowered from 380 to 350 parts per million
Want global emissions to peak by 2015 and fall 85% below 1990 level by 2050
Want at least 1% of rich country GDP spent on "climate-inflicted damage"
and
unless you want to remove the list -->
The small island states account for 0.6% of global GHG emissions (246mt of CO2 equivalent)
Emissions per head: 4t of CO2 equivalent
GDP (2008): $46bn
Amount of GHG emitted per $1m of GDP: 551t
Kyoto: Aosis members signed as developing countries so are not obliged to cut emissions
and -->How serious a threat is global warming to you and your family?Sample state, Dominican Republic:Very/Somewhat seriousNot very/Not at all serious
Country
What's on the table
Climate facts (2007)
Public opinion
China -->"Developed countries should support developed countries in tackling climate change." President Hu Jintao, 22/9/09 and
unless you want to remove the list -->
Wants rich countries to reduce emissions to 40% below 1990 level by 2020
Says they should pay 1% of their GDP per year to help other countries adapt
Promises to emit "notably" less CO2 per unit of GDP by 2020
Wants West to provide low-carbon technology
May be ready to name a date when China's emissions will peak
and
unless you want to remove the list -->
The world's biggest GHG producer (20.7% of global emissions, 8,106mt of CO2 equivalent)
Emissions per head: 30th in the world (6t of CO2 equivalent)
GDP (2008): $4.3tn
Amount of GHG emitted per $1m of GDP: 1,152t
Kyoto: Signed as a developing country so not obliged to cut emissions
and -->How serious a threat is global warming to you and your family?Very/Somewhat seriousNot very/Not at all seriousUnited States -->"We understand the gravity of the climate threat. We are determined to act. And we will meet our responsibility to future generations." Barack Obama, US president, 22/9/09 and
unless you want to remove the list -->
Resisting demands to pledge quantified emissions cuts
Against Kyoto-style treaty imposing international legal obligations
Insists China, India, South Africa and Brazil must commit to slow growth of emissions
Climate bill - which would bring cuts of 4% from 1990 levels by 2020 - is bogged down in Senate
and
unless you want to remove the list -->
The world's second-biggest GHG producer (15.5% of global emissions, 6,087mt of CO2 equivalent)
Emissions per head: Fifth in the world (20t of CO2 equivalent)
GDP (2008): $14.2tn
Amount of GHG emitted per $1m of GDP: 441t
Kyoto: Signed, but never ratified
and -->How serious a threat is global warming to you and your family?Very/Somewhat seriousNot very/Not at all seriousEU -->"We are going to over-achieve our Kyoto targets." Stavros Dimas, EU environment commissioner, 27/10/09The EU is a grouping of 27 European states and
unless you want to remove the list -->
Aspires to play "leading role" at Copenhagen
Will cut emissions by 20% from 1990 levels by 2020, or 30% if other big emitters take tough action
Wants rich nations to make 80-95% cut by 2050
Wants poorer nations to slow emissions growth
Says they face costs of $150bn per year by 2020, of which EU will pay $7bn-22bn from public finances
and
unless you want to remove the list -->
The world's third-biggest GHG producer (11.8% of global emissions, 4,641mt CO2 equivalent)
Emissions per head: 17th in the world (9t of CO2 equivalent)
GDP (2008): $18.3tn
Amount of GHG emitted per $1m of GDP: 315t
Kyoto: Signed - has to get average emissions for 2008-2012 8% below 1990 level
and -->How serious a threat is global warming to you and your family?Very/Somewhat seriousNot very/Not at all serious(Results represent the median of 23 out of the 27 EU states polled by Gallup)India -->"Internationally legally binding [greenhouse gas] reduction targets are for developed countries and developed countries alone." Jairam Ramesh, India's environment minister, 21/10/09 and
unless you want to remove the list -->
Agrees to limit growth of GHG emissions but will not commit to binding targets
Says rich countries are to blame for climate change and points to big gap in per capita emissions
Wants deep cuts in rich country emissions, firm funding pledges and technology transfer
Keen on preserving Kyoto-style legal obligations for developing countries
and
unless you want to remove the list -->
The world's sixth-biggest GHG producer (5% of global emissions, 1,963mt of CO2 equivalent)
Emissions per head: 66th in the world (2t of CO2 equivalent)
GDP (2008): $1.2tn
Amount of GHG emitted per $1m of GDP: 655t
Kyoto: Signed as a developing country, so not obliged to cut emissions
and -->How serious a threat is global warming to you and your family?Very/Somewhat seriousNot very/Not at all seriousJapan -->"We think developing countries are also required to make an effort to reduce greenhouse gases." Yukio Hatoyama Japan's prime minister, 7/9/09 and
unless you want to remove the list -->
Will cut emissions to 25% below 1990 levels by 2020, if other countries show similar ambition
This amounts to a cut of 30% in 10 years, and is opposed by industry
"Hatoyama initiative" will increase financial and technical assistance to developing countries
Backs proposals in which each country would set its own commitments
and
unless you want to remove the list -->
The world's seventh-biggest GHG producer (3.3% of global emissions, 1,293mt of CO2 equivalent)
Emissions per head: 15th in the world (10t of CO2 equivalent)
GDP (2008): $4.9tn
Amount of GHG emitted per $1m of GDP: 301t
Kyoto: Signed - has to get average emissions for 2008-2012 6% below 1990 level
and -->How serious a threat is global warming to you and your family?Very/Somewhat seriousNot very/Not at all seriousAfrican union -->"We are prepared to walk out of any negotiations that threaten to be another rape of the continent." Meles Zenawi of Ethiopia, 3/9/09The African Union is a grouping of 52 African states and
unless you want to remove the list -->
Like China, wants rich countries legally bound to cut emissions to 40% below 1990 level by 2020
Describes 20 to 30% cuts as "unacceptable"
Wants rich countries to pay 0.5% of GDP to help developing countries tackle climate change
Wants $67bn per year for adaptation in Africa
Threatening to walk out if demands are not met
and
unless you want to remove the list -->
The AU accounts for 8.1% of global emissions (3,164mt of CO2 equivalent)
Emissions per head: 4t of CO2 equivalent
GDP (2008): $34bn
Amount of GHG emitted per $1m of GDP: 1,361t
Kyoto: African nations signed as developing countries so are not obliged to cut emissions
and -->How serious a threat is global warming to you and your family?Sample state, Kenya:Very/Somewhat seriousNot very/Not at all seriousGulf states -->"We are among the most economically vulnerable countries." Mohammad S. Al Sabban, Saudi Arabia's lead negotiator 8/10/09 Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, UAE and
unless you want to remove the list -->
Opec and Saudi Arabia seeking financial aid for oil-producers if new agreement requires cuts of fossil fuels
Keen on a deal that would advance use of carbon capture and storage
In 2007 Opec members pledged $750m to fund climate change research
Qatar and Abu Dhabi investing heavily in clean energy technology
and
unless you want to remove the list -->
Gulf states account for 2.3% of global emissions (894mt of CO2 equivalent)
Emissions per head: 25t of CO2 equivalent
GDP (2008): $468bn
Amount of GHG emitted per $1m of GDP: 875t
Kyoto: Gulf States signed as developing countries so are not obliged to cut emissions
and -->How serious a threat is global warming to you and your family?Sample state, Saudi Arabia:Very/Somewhat seriousNot very/Not at all seriousSmall islands -->"The days of little money in the face of big problems are over." Dessima Williams, head of the Alliance of Small Island States (Aosis), 9/10/09Aosis is a bloc of 42 island and coastal states mostly in the Pacific and Caribbean and
unless you want to remove the list -->
Regard rising sea level as threat to their existence
Seek to limit temperature rise to 1.5 degrees above preindustrial levels
Want concentration of CO2 in atmosphere lowered from 380 to 350 parts per million
Want global emissions to peak by 2015 and fall 85% below 1990 level by 2050
Want at least 1% of rich country GDP spent on "climate-inflicted damage"
and
unless you want to remove the list -->
The small island states account for 0.6% of global GHG emissions (246mt of CO2 equivalent)
Emissions per head: 4t of CO2 equivalent
GDP (2008): $46bn
Amount of GHG emitted per $1m of GDP: 551t
Kyoto: Aosis members signed as developing countries so are not obliged to cut emissions
and -->How serious a threat is global warming to you and your family?Sample state, Dominican Republic:Very/Somewhat seriousNot very/Not at all serious
SOURCES: Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research and the World Bank. Gallup poll data taken in 2008. Between 528 and 2,493 people interviewed in each country, either by phone or face-to-face (the question was put to people who said they knew something about climate change). The margin of error ranges from +/-3.5 to +/-5.3%.
SOURCES: Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research and the World Bank. Gallup poll data taken in 2008. Between 528 and 2,493 people interviewed in each country, either by phone or face-to-face (the question was put to people who said they knew something about climate change). The margin of error ranges from +/-3.5 to +/-5.3%.
