As Parties to the Climate Convention EU Member States have opted for a joint fulfilment of post-2000 greenhouse gas emission reduction obligations. No agreement could be reached on a joint EU target before the distribution of the burden of emission reductions among Member States had been agreed upon. This paper presents a sectoral approach to burden sharing, which incorporates important national circumstances. The three categories distinguished are the power sector, the internationally operating energy-intensive industry and the remaining domestically oriented sectors.

Developing nations should not sit back and allow the US to do the thinking. They should find a way of making their contributions meaningful and, if necessary, even lobby for EU support to fight US pressure

Before looking for supporters elsewhere, the fossil fuel dependent North should take the first step in reducing carbon emissions at home

Developing nations should get more actively involved with international politics on climate change. They should propose and direct negotiations, rather than just react and respond