• Most Popular
  • Most Shared

FACTBOX-Climate negotiating positions of top five emitters

Fri Sep 25, 2009 10:05am EDT

Sept 25 (Reuters) - Following are the negotiating positions of the top five greenhouse gas emitters in the run-up to a new U.N. pact for combating climate change to be agreed in Copenhagen in December: 1) CHINA (annual emissions of greenhouse gases: 6.8 billion tonnes, 5.5 tonnes per capita)

* Emissions - President Hu Jingtao promised on Sept. 22 that China would cut its carbon dioxide emissions per dollar of economic output by a "notable margin" by 2020 compared to 2005. [ID:nN22195458]. The "carbon intensity" goal is the first measurable curb on national emissions for China. Hu reiterated a promise that China would try to raise the share of non-fossil fuels in primary energy consumption to 15 percent by 2020.

* Demands -China wants developed nations to cut their greenhouse gas emissions by at least 40 percent below 1990 levels by 2020 and to give far more aid and green technologies to developing nations. [ID:nL1957409] 2) UNITED STATES (6.4 billion tonnes, 21.2 tonnes per capita)

* Emissions - President Barack Obama wants to cut U.S. emissions back to 1990 levels by 2020 and by 80 percent below 1990 levels by 2050. For 2020, that means a 14 percent cut from 2007 levels.

"We will press ahead with deep cuts in emissions to reach the goals that we set for 2020, and eventually 2050," he told the United Nations on Sept. 23, adding that the days when the United States "dragged its feet" were over. [ID:nN23275858]

A bill passed by the U.S. House of Representatives in June would require large companies, inluding utilities, oil refiners and others, to cut emissions by 17 percent by 2020 and 83 perrcent by 2050, from 2005 levels. Senate Democrats plan to unveil a bill on Sept. 30. [ID:nN24465551]

* Finance - The United States says a "dramatic increase" is needed in funds to help developing nations.

* Demands - "We cannot meet this challenge unless all the largest emitters of greenhouse gas pollution act together," Obama said. [ID:nLN445414]

3) EUROPEAN UNION (5.03 billion tonnes, 10.2 tonnes per capita)

* Emissions - EU leaders agreed in December 2008 to cut emissions by 20 percent below 1990 levels by 2020 and by 30 percent if other developed nations follow suit.

* Finance - EU leaders have agreed that developing nations will need about 100 billion euros ($146.8 billion) a year by 2020 to help them curb emissions and adapt to changes such as floods or heatwaves. As an advance payment, they suggest 5-7 billion a year between 2010 and 2012. [ID:nBRU010064]

* Demands - The EU wants developing nations to curb the rise of their emissions by 15 to 30 percent below a trajectory of "business as usual" by 2020.

5) RUSSIA (1.7 billion tonnes, 11.9 tonnes per capita)

* Emissions - Prime Minister Vladimir Putin said in June that Russia's emissions would be around 10 to 15 percent below 1990 levels by 2020. That means a rise from now -- emissions were 34 percent below 1990 levels in 2007. [ID:nLJ881370]

* Demands - Putin said on Sept. 11 that Russia would reject any new climate pact that imposed restrictions on Russia but did not bind other big polluters such as the United States or China. [ID:nLB2724].

4) INDIA (1.4 billion tonnes, 1.2 tonnes per capita)

* Emissions - India is prepared to quantify the amount of greenhouse gas emissions it could cut with domestic actions to fight climate change, but will not accept internationally binding targets, Environment Minister Jairam Ramesh said on Sept. 17. [ID:nDEL381436]. India has said its per capita emissions will never rise to match those of developed nations.

* Demands - Like China, India wants developed nations to cut emissions by at least 40 percent by 2020, saying they are most responsible for emissions since the Industrial Revolution [ID:nL1957409]. 5) JAPAN (1.4 billion tonnes, 11.0 tonnes per capita)

* Emissions - New Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama wants to cut Japan's emissions by 25 percent below 1990 levels by 2020 if Copenhagen agrees an ambitious deal, toughening a goal set by the previous government of an eight percent reduction.

* Finance - Hatoyama told the United Nations on Sept. 22 that Tokyo would also step up aid. "Japan is prepared to offer more financial and technical assistance than in the past, in accordance with the progress of the international negotiations," he said. [ID:nT293715]



China  |  Russia  |  Japan



More from Reuters

Photo

Bernanke says trial reserve drains may launch exit

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The Federal Reserve could begin pulling back its unprecedented stimulus for the U.S. economy by first removing some cash from the financial system and then raising interest rates, Fed Chairman Ben Bernanke said on Wednesday.

 A protester marches next to a banner during an anti-government rally in Athens February 10, 2010. REUTERS/John Kolesidis
Analysis:

Will IMF step in on Greece?

Europe is loathe to turn to the International Monetary Fund to help bail out Greece but it may have little choice.  Full Article 

A worker drives a Toyota Motor Corp's newly assembled Prius hybrid vehicle onto a trailer near the company's plant in Toyota, central Japan February 9, 2010.REUTERS/Yuriko Nakao
Reuters Breakingviews:

Toyota's troubles in overdrive

The cost of Toyota's recall nightmare is nothing compared to the price of fixing its battered reputation.  Commentary