The bedrock principles for developing country participation in the efforts to combat global climate change are contained in the 1992 Climate Convention. Specifically, developing and industrialized countries have common but differentiated responsibilities to prevent dangerous climate change. While the Convention envisions an important role for developing countries, it calls on industrialized countries to take the lead in protecting the climate system. A variety of WRI publications address specific issues related to the role of developing countries under the Climate Convention and Kyoto Protocol.

Why should industrialized countries act first?

In terms of historical emissions, industrialized countries account for roughly 80% of the carbon dioxide buildup in the atmosphere to date. Since 1950, the U.S. has emitted a cumulative total of roughly 50.7 billion tons of carbon, while China (4.6 times more populous) and India (3.5 times more populous) have emitted only 15.7 and 4.2 billion tons respectively.

Annually, more than 60 percent of global industrial carbon dioxide emissions originate in industrialized countries, where only about 20 percent of the world's population resides.

In addition, much of the growth in emissions in developing countries results from the provision of basic human needs for growing populations, while emissions in industrialized countries contribute to growth in a standard of living that is already far above that of the average person worldwide. This is exemplified by the large contrasts in per capita carbons emissions between industrialized and developing countries. Per capita emissions of carbon in the U.S. are over 20 times higher than India, 12 times higher than Brazil and seven times higher than China.

Thus, not surprisingly, the Kyoto Protocol calls for binding emission reductions or limitations for 38 industrialized and transition (Central and Eastern Europe, and former Soviet Union) countries. While developing countries are not bound by formal emission requirements, contrary to popular perceptions, many are already taking significant steps to rein in greenhouse gas emissions. The policies and measures behind these largely unrecognized improvements have required leadership and entailed political cost.

The Clean Development Mechanism

However, one mechanism envisioned in the Kyoto Protocol for developing country participation is the Clean Development Mechanism (CDM). The CDM aims to promote sustainable development in developing countries through projects that reduce emissions of greenhouse gases. Credits generated from project activities may be used by industrialized country Parties to achieve compliance with their emission reduction or limitation requirements.

Toward global participation

Because of inequalities in historical and per capita emissions, many believe that industrialized countries should make and keep the first round of commitments under the Kyoto Protocol before asking developing countries to do more. Eventually, however, effectively addressing climate change will eventually require a global effort that includes all major emitting countries, since the bulk of future emissions are likely to originate from rapidly growing developing countries. Thus, the timing, extent and nature of more formal developing country participation in the efforts to reduce global emissions is a highly controversial issue.

A first step toward a more comprehensive approach to reducing future emissions in developing countries could be the use of more appropriate indicators that better address the real climate challenge now facing developing countries-reducing the greenhouse gas intensity of economic growth. A "carbon intensity indicator" expresses a country's emissions per unit of economic output (i.e. tons of carbon per unit of gross domestic product) rather than measuring absolute or per capita levels of emissions, both of which are expected to grow as countries industrialize (see Carbon Intensity Table).

Over time, carbon intensity indicators show how well countries are decoupling economic growth and emissions growth, two variables that historically are closely correlated. Some developing countries, such as China and Argentina, have already succeeded in lowering carbon intensity by improving energy efficiency, shifting economic activity to lower emitting sectors, and using lower carbon fuels like natural gas or renewable energy.