The CoP process is a multilateral one. Yet the US, when it so chooses, when things are not going its way, feels free to walk in and out of it (as it did at CoP-6 bis). On the one hand, the US calls itself the defender of global democracy. On the other, it has consistently undermined the CoP process. On the one hand, it shrilly asks countries such as India and China to make commitments. On the other, it has come up with an energy bill that is extremely coal and oil intensive. Not prepared to take any domestic action on reducing emissions, it sulks when other countries refuse to compromise on their growth. While the rest of the world is on a diplomatic mission to get the Kyoto Protocol ratified, President George Bush writes letters to his senators telling them why he is not interested in it.

CoP-8 must find a way to remind the US to be the democratic country it says it is. Everybody must sit down and talk. On an equal basis.

#2: Commitments
Since 1998, developed countries have been avoiding a proper, open discussion on what is termed "adequacy of commitments". A review of these commitments is an item in the official CoP-8 agenda. Equity Watch asks the president-designate to make possible this review and ensure developed countries don’t duck under the table.

#3: Equity
Unfortunately, the post-Kyoto world is one in which the atmosphere has become a commodity. The world is abuzz with talk of trading in emissions. What is the principle on which trading should occur?

For us, the best principle is equity. Emissions must be traded on a per capita basis. In the future, developing countries are going to have to make commitments on cutting emissions. The idea is that the world converges on an emission level that doesn’t give the atmosphere a fever. But how are these commitments to be decided? Only equity will ensure this happens in a way that doesn’t compromise our growth.

We ask developing country delegates to avoid being yoked into someone else’s polluted project. Keep your eyes, ears, and future open.

#4: Adaptation
Some countries are dirtying the atmosphere. Others are suffering its effects. Polluters must pay. Compensate these countries. This is a UNFCCC demand, even more valid in a post-Kyoto world.