Download 'Too Hot', an exclusive Specials track from iTunes

India and China rejected the Group of Eight's declaration on climate change yesterday as leaders of the developing world demanded that rich countries should take a stronger lead on preventing global warming.
On the last day of their summit in Japan leaders of the G8 met their counterparts from emerging economic powers in Asia, Africa and Latin America, but failed to reach a collective agreement on reducing the greenhouse gases that cause global warming. Their joint statement contained no numerical targets, as developing nations accused the rich countries of not doing enough.
“This must change,” Manmohan Singh, the Indian Prime Minister, said. “You must all show the leadership that you have always promised by taking and then delivering truly significant greenhouse gas reductions.”
On Tuesday the G8 leaders issued their own communiqué on climate change, setting out the “vision” of a 50per cent cut in greenhouse gases by 2050. European countries, including Britain, favour an ambitious medium- term goal for reductions to be achieved by the year 2020. But Japan, Canada and the US refused to agree to such a target, insisting that India and China must take their share of responsibility.
Developing nations, which have taken part in meetings on the sidelines of the main summit, say that the rich nations must bear the burden of cutting emissions, since it is the vastly greater carbon emissions from the industrialised world that have caused the global warming crisis.
“Developed countries should make explicit commitments to continue to take the lead in emissions reduction,” Hu Jintao, the Chinese President, told the Major Economies Meeting (MEM), a gathering of 16 leaders held on the fringes of the G8 yesterday.
The G8 summit concluded on a light-hearted note, as President Bush bade farewell to world leaders with the words: “Goodbye from the world's greatest polluter”.
The other statesmen laughed, at first nervously, and then more enthusiastically when they realised Mr Bush was making a joke, mocking America's reputation on global warming.
Win a luxury weekend to Newcastle and its neighbour Gateshead, find out more here
Risk, resilience and embracing new technology
Industry sectors news at a glance. Interactive heatmap, video and podcast
Discover the power of collective thinking. Submit a solution and be in with a chance to win a Media Hub Home Entertainment System
The inside track on current trends in the charity, not for profit and social enterprise sectors
Everything the Business Traveller needs to know to make a better trip
Make the most of the summer and enter our fabulous photographic competition, you could win a £5000 holiday
Corsica is an island of beauty and contrast, an ideal holiday destination
Enjoy further reading from Travel to Fashion, Business to Sport, discover more
Shortcuts to help you find sections and articles
The clever way to lease a new car is with Car leasing made simple™
2009
per month on 36-month
Personal Contract Hire (PCH)
2008
42850
Car Insurance
£24,250 - £30,346
MI5
London
£60,000
The Environment Agency
Bristol
Up to £90K
Boots
Midlands
OTE £85k
Credit Protection Association
Nationwide Opportunities
Completely London
Luxury Condo's in Manhattan with NYC views
The best new homes in Wimbledon?
Nationwide
Fabulous Cruise And Cruise & Stay Offers Including Virgin Atlantic Flights Prices Start From Only £699pp!
Last Minute Cruise And Cruise & Stay Offers. Med From £499pp, Caribbean From £699pp!
5 star quality at a 3 star price.
8 fabulous Canadian cities ...you won’t find cheaper
Contact our advertising team for advertising and sponsorship in Times Online, The Times and The Sunday Times, or place your advertisement.
Times Online Services: Dating | Jobs | Property Search | Used Cars | Holidays | Births, Marriages, Deaths | Subscriptions | E-paper
News International associated websites: Globrix Property Search | Property Finder | Milkround
Copyright 2009 Times Newspapers Ltd.
This service is provided on Times Newspapers' standard Terms and Conditions. Please read our Privacy Policy.To inquire about a licence to reproduce material from Times Online, The Times or The Sunday Times, click here.This website is published by a member of the News International Group. News International Limited, 1 Virginia St, London E98 1XY, is the holding company for the News International group and is registered in England No 81701. VAT number GB 243 8054 69.
I agree with Stephanie, try doing your own research and then you might draw a different conclusion. Politicians have found a fantastic way to control the worlds populace and what better way to do it than by getting those most likely to protest on board. Global Warming is a complete nonsense.
Lenny Szrama, Gateshead, UK
Why does the US refuse to cut down CO2 emissions and expect the rest of the world to do so? Why are the developing nations a target when Mr Bush refuses to put his own house in order? Lead by example Mr Bush.
J. Taank .London
Jay Taank, London, UK
In the latest World Bank figures, Canada (#9) and Russia (#11)do not rank in the list of the top 8 economies, as defined by total gross domestic product. China(#4) and Spain(#8) are listed in the top 8. Canada and Russia appear not to even belong at the conference.
Stephen, El Paso, Texas, USA
Need to focus on CO2 + MH4 having a 25 X more detrimental effect than CO2 + biomass MH4 power generation to replace landfill thus converting MH4 to energy. High investments in solar, eolic and oceanic generation. 50% CO2 reduction by 2050 inadequate. Kyoto replacement in 2012 must drive this change.
David Bristow, Madrid, Spain
developed countries do ride the climate change, not the sun!
what we do is acelerate the process, which will last for years if it happend naturally.
who does pay you stephanie?
asier, gasteiz, basque country
If the models are wrong Kyoto and carbon sequestration would be really dumb (50% more coal to stick a fertilizer underground). Regulating co2 output is like squeezing a balloon, we will constantly be dealing with unintended consequences, excessive regulation and very expensive solutions.
larry, manchester,
It is extremely unethical and inhumane to ask the developing nations to share the burden of greenhouse control for two very simple reasons: 1) the current high level of greenhouse gas is almost entirely due to the accumulation of emissions of rich nations over the last century.
Mike, Seattle, USA
2) the current rate of emission for rich nations on a per capita basis is still more than 5 times more. Cutting emission is simple economics: you have to pay for the extra cost, which should be borne by those who are responsible, not the poor and innocent!!!
Mike, Seattle, USA
Rebecca you are right ! But developed nations should take the the Upper Hand.
Dr. M.A. Sabur, Riyadh, K.S.A
Here in the UK we have 1% (60million) of the world's population (6,000million) but produce 2% of the world's emissions of greenhouse gases.
Only when we reduce our emissions to the world average will we have the right to lecture others.
We're not a poor country, just greedy !
Peter Hooper, Windsor, UK
Why are our leaders so hell bent wasting trillions of OUR money on a problem that DOES NOT EXIST?Climate change is NATURAL & CYCLIC and driven by the SUN! When will our political dummies take notice?When the new ice sheets reach London&New York? Its funnyfarm crazy folks & we are all in for a shock!
Stephanie King, larnaca, Cyprus
the most practical solution to reduce emission in the long term for controlling climate change is the developed nations in conjunction with developing ones ,in my experience.
Rebecca, shi jiazhuang, China