Divides Emerge In Search For Copenhagen Deal

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.