A rival draft compromise text prepared by China, Brazil and India has been leaked and published by the French daily Le Monde. (You can download what looks like a hastily scanned version of the document, here) It follows the publication of a Danish text earlier in the week.
Whereas the Danish text at least attempts to get some developing countries to internationalise pledges to take action to reduce emissions (not unreasonable when you look at how much countries like China and Brazil are emitting and are projected to emit in future and the sophistication of much of their industry) the Chinese text firmly puts the burden on the developed world to cut emissions.
It says developing countries should only take action “on the basis of their specific national circumstances.” The text also rules out the future use of “fiscal and non-fiscal border measures” on the grounds of climate change – a dig at the US and the French who have threatened to put in place border adjustment measures if a weak agreement is reached here in Copenhagen.
The texts have been drafted to help provide some structure to discussions between heads of state and ministers when they seek to strike a high-level political deal next week. Rumours are a further two in preparation. One delegate remarked next week would descend into beauty contest of potential compromise texts.
Responses here have been cautious and those connected with the text were playing down its significance at this stage referring to it as a “working draft” with “limited status.”