http://www.reuters.com/article/latestCrisis/idUST171688

A group of eight of the richest states and other developing countries are scheduled to meet in Japan from May 24 to 26 to discuss and build support for long-term reduction of greenhouse gas emissions. Among the many countries that are expected to meet are China, India, Japan, the European Union and the United States. Any plans to halt greenhouse gas emissions will face obstacles because many of the countries differ on the level of actions that should take place that would not disrupt their economies.

Beijing argues that it should not have to sacrifice growth that rich countries enjoyed in the past, and wants the West to step up the transfer of technology that would make its economic rise less carbon-intensive.

In April, Bush unveiled a plan to halt the growth of U.S. emissions by 2025, toughening a previous goal of braking the growth of emissions by 2012.

The United States and China are the top emitters. The proposal has drawn criticism from environmental groups for letting emissions continue to grow for 17 years.

For real support to build on climate change, developing countries will have to make major sacrifices and not succumb to intractable dialogues and viewpoints.  

Reuters: May 23, 2008

Submitted by M. Lamarre