Pressure from developing countries

Definition
The leaders of Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, the European Union, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, the Republic of Korea, Mexico, Russia, South Africa, the United Kingdom, and the United States declared at the Major Economies Forum on Energy and Climate in L'Aquila, Italy, on July 9, 2009 that:

• Developed countries would lead by cutting emissions and developing green technology,
• Developing countries would work towards reaching their peak emissions as soon as possible,
• Forests would be protected and deforestation addressed,
• To double public investment in research, development and demonstration of green technology,
• The United States agreed to cut emissions by 80% before 2050 in line with other G8 nations, and
• Rich countries should cut emissions by 80%, and the whole world by 50%, by 2050.

A reading of the above tells us clearly that more is expected from the developed countries towards achieving a greener footprint. The US & EU cannot just be calling for more efforts from the developing and other nations. They are still the major users of natural resources and also the biggest emitters of green house gases. The developing world is putting huge pressure on them to set the example. The developing nations are not giving up much as per the above list. With the Kyoto protocol expiring in 2012, this development before the Copenhagen summit tells us about what's to come.

Enablers
The EU like to US needs to commit big on reducing emissions and set an example for other nations to follow. The EU experience in reducing emissions through collaboration with other member states could be a good example for every nation to emulate. Countries like China and India are comprised of many states and regions and the same concept can be replicated, albeit with modifications to fit the situation.

Inhibitors
If the EU and the US are not able to lead the way then the Copenhagen summit could fail and this could have serious long term repurcussions to the society and the future generation.

Paradigms
It provides a sense of polarilisation among developing nations