The 12-day summit, which ends Dec. 18, aims to set
bold new targets for cutting greenhouse gas emissions, measures to cope with
the consequences of global warming and how the program will be financed.
THE DETAIL: Developing countries' efforts in limiting
their emissions, rich nations' targets and financial support for poorer nations
are sticking points for the negotiations.
The U.N. has called for $10 billion a year of immediate funding from rich
nations from now until 2012, rising to $100 billion to $200 billion a year by
2020. The G77 bloc is asking for at least $300 billion over that period to help
developing countries adapt to the effects of climate change.
Countries also differ on how funding should be raised and administered, with
developing countries proposing the creation of a special fund under the
authority of the U.N. Framework Convention on Climate Change.
BACKGROUND: Although the summit is still in early
days, the opening salvos suggest considerable distance between the two main
groups of nations--the
U.S.
and EU in one corner, and the Group of 77 developing countries and
China
in the other.
The
U.S.
and
China
are at odds over who bears the most responsibility for tackling global warming.
Developing countries,including
China
,
say industrialized nations like the
U.S.
have a duty to pay out billions of dollars in compensation to poorer,
developing countries. At the same time, the European Union cited developing
countries for preventing a full discussion on carbon dioxide reduction targets with
all countries.
Under U.N. rules, each of the 192 nations gathered in
Copenhagen
has an equal say in negotiations.
OTHER DEVELOPMENTS: The Polynesian
island
of
Tuvalu
,
one of the smallest countries in the world, opened a division with some
emerging economies such as
China
and
India
by proposing--with backing from African governments such as
Sierra Leone
and
Senegal
--tough targets to limit global warming, which should be met by strong
efforts in the developing world as well.
ON THE TABLE:
-The U.S. has pledged to reduce its emissions by 17% from 2005 levels by 2020;
-China, the world's top carbon emitter, has proposed to reduce its carbon
intensity, trimming emissions per unit of gross domestic product by between 40%
and 45% compared to 2005 levels by 2020;
-The EU agreed last year to cut its emissions by 20% by 2020 from 1990 levels,
and has offered to raise that target to 30% should other nations commit to make
comparable efforts;
-Japan has pledged to slash emissions by 25% by 2020 compared with 1990 levels
as long as other major emitters also take meaningful action;
-India has said it is ready to cut emissions intensity by 20%-25% by 2020, but
won't accept legally binding targets;
-Indonesia has agreed to slash emissions by 26% from 2005 levels by 2020.
WHAT'S
NEXT: Pressure is increasing to get a draft document ready by the end of the
week. Over 100 heads of state will arrive in
Copenhagen
next
week for the final stretch of the talks.
U.S. President Barack Obama has scheduled a visit to
Copenhagen
on
Dec. 18, and has indicated he hopes to help conclude agreements that would give
as much as $10 billion a year to help developing nations clean up their
economies.
EU heads of state or governments will discuss their potential contribution for
2010-2012 when they meet Thursday and Friday in
Brussels
.