In an exclusive, off-the-record interview with The Hindu, the sources said that developing countries — particularly India and China — are increasingly feeling that the conference had more to do with containing emerging economies than addressing climate change. “While India has reiterated her opposition to emission caps on emerging economies, there is still considerable pressure to do so.”

While the Bali roadmap has been touted as the starting point for a fresh set of negotiations for a post-2012 agreement when the Kyoto Protocol lapses, developing countries — particularly the G77 group — has been pushing for honouring the existing commitments first.

As reported in The Hindu on Wednesday, 167 nations, including the 36 countries in the European Union, are unlikely to meet their mandated targets — a point that has come in for severe criticism by a number of agencies. Developing countries also feel that Annex 1 must continue to show leadership by agreeing to deeper emission reductions in the ballpark of 25-40 per cent below the 1992 baseline by the year 2020.

Interestingly, in spite of UNFCCC executive secretary Yvo de Boer’s assurances, technology transfer for adaptation is becoming a sticking point in negotiations.

The developed countries agree that the developing world must be given access to the latest technology to make the transition to a low-emission mode of economic growth. However, sources claim that the developed world is insisting that the developing world purchase the technology in the open market.

As the first week draws to a close, and Bali prepares for the arrival of high-level delegations, informal working groups are under pressure to build the critical momentum required for a “breakthrough”.

The Indian delegation, headed by Kapil Sibal, Minister of State for Science and Technology and Ocean Development, will arrive here early next week.