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Impasse

Statements from key players

USA: President Bush announced on May 31 that the US and "other nations will set a long-term global goal for reducing greenhouse gases'. The US will convene meetings with countries that produce most greenhouse gases.

"It's important to ensure we get results, and so we will create a strong and transparent system for measuring each country's performance. This would help our nations fulfil our responsibilities under the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change,' he said.

CHINA: The first national climate change plan, a 62-page document, was unveiled on June 4.

China stands by the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change. It says nations have common but differentiated responsibilities to address global warming. China will also fulfil its commitments under the Kyoto protocol.

No CO2 cap. Developed countries largely responsible for greenhouse gases following 200 years of industrialisation. They should finance cleaner development.

China calls Bush's recent proposals on global warming positive, but favours a single, coordinated global approach to climate change.

INDIA: Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has announced a high-level advisory group on climate change. His office released some statistics:

India's per capita emissions are only 23 per cent of global average, 4 per cent of the US, 12 per cent of the EU, and 15 per cent of Japan.

With 17 per cent of the world's population, India accounts for only 4 per cent of greenhouse gases.

The energy intensity of GDP has reduced by one-third since 1972, and is equal to that of Germany.

While India's GDP is growing at 8 per cent, its primary energy sector is growing at 2.76 per cent.

India is committed to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change and the Kyoto Protocol.

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