Canada to world - "after you"

Canada remains under fire here in Bali, where it has laid out eight ‘principles' for a post-2012 climate deal. Most controversial is number 2, which recommends mandatory greenhouse gas targets for developed countries and ‘major industrialized developing countries.'

This is guaranteed to infuriate China (and India too). Which is probably the point. "By being unrealistic in their demands," argues activist Steven Guilbeault, "Canada is trying to create a perfect train wreck here at the summit."

Why is their action considered provocative? China accounts for almost a fifth of global emissions. Aren't targets for the Chinese therefore essential if greenhouse gases are to be cut in half by 2050 (the level of ambition of many governments, here)?

Yes, say the Canadians, Japanese, and Americans. Yes, but not quite yet, say the Europeans (though UK development minister, Gareth Thomas carved out a slightly different line in London last week).

Yes, but only when the developed world has shown that it's willing to do its bit, say the Chinese (with the support of almost all developing countries - though some low-lying island states may see things a little differently).

And that's the rub as far as Guilbeault is concerned. As we reported on Global Deal, Canada has made terrible progress against its existing Kyoto targets. They simply have no standing when asking other, poorer countries to do their bit.