Different countries and blocs entered the Durban climate talks that started from November 28, 20n, with different agenda. Here’s a look at their earlier stand and what they have to say now.

INDIA

 From the beginning of the talks, India said it wants second commitment period of Kyoto Protocol.

 Positive action on green climate fund.

 India Indicated that it is “open” to all ideas (including new legally-binding treaty) at the climate talks but wanted more reassurances from the developed world.

 Inclusion of “equity” in climate talks.

Earlier rejecting the draft- “Am I to write a blank check and sign away the livelihoods and sustainability of 1.2 billion Indians, without even knowing what the EU ‘roadmap’ contains? Please do not hold us hostage.”

Jayanthi Natrajan, Environment Minister

Natarajan after the talks “we have shown our flexibility and we have agreed to this…”

CHINA

 China had set five conditions to making its domestic climate action binding under an international agreement from 2020, which include extension of Kyoto and operationalisation of Green funds among others.

Head of the Chinese delegation Xie Zhenhua described the outcome “progressive and balanced.”

THE EUROPEAN UNION

 The EU was the first to open the door to a global deal in 2015, proposing that option a advance of the Durban conference.

 But, It has made a condition to extending Kyoto that all major emitteres including the United States and China agree to sign by 2015 a global deal submitting their own emissions to International curbs from 2020

“We think that we had the right strategy, we think that it worked. The big thing is that now all big economies, all parties have to commit in the future in a legal way and that’s what we came here for.”

CONNIE HEDEGAARD,

EU CLIMATE COMMISSIONER

THE UNITED STATES

 Maintained it will only make it’s a ctions binding under an international climae pact if China and other major economies tand behind their commitments with equal legal force.

“I think in the end it ended up quite well… The first time you will see developing countries agreeing, essentially, to be bound by a legal agreement”.

TODD STERN, US chief negotiator

CANADA, RUSSIA, JAPAN

 Have all said they won’t extend the Kyoto Protocol, preferring a global deal involving major emerging economies and the United States.

 Canada’s environment minister Peter Kent reiterated his opposition to the Kyoto Protocol, saying the deal was not good for Canada, and the previous government should not have ratified it.

COPENHAGEN TO DURBAN-THE ACHIEVEMENTS OF FAR

Copenhagen, Denmak (2009)

 Governments agreed that emissions need to be reduced to limit global temperature increases to below 2 degrees Celsius.

 It was proposed that developed countries would provide $30 billion between 2010 and 2012, and $100 billion every year from 2020 onwards for a Green Climate Fund

CANCUN, MEXICO (2010)

 The Cancun Agreement legalised a voluntary pledge–and-review scheme that allowed countries to set their own domestic targets in the form of pledges. Some sees it as a dilution from earlier stand of and favouring developed countries.

 The Cancun draft also proposed a technology executive committee, a climate technology centre and network for transfer of technology to fight climate change.

 No decision on the second commitment period of Kyoto Protocol.

Durban (South Africa), 20n

 Continuation of Kyoto Protocol beyond 2012.

 Roadmap for a 2015 accord (new treaty) that will, for first time, legally force all major carbon polluters to cut greenhouse gas emissions.

 The Green Fund, the developed world promised to provide to the poor countires to be operational in 2012.