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September 25, 2009
Reuters tracks the negotiating positions of the top five greenhouse gas emitters ahead of the December UN Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen.
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]
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