UN talks in Montreal from Nov. 28-Dec. 9 aim to begin forging a plan for reining in greenhouse gases blamed for global warming once goals run out in 2012 under the UN's Kyoto Protocol.
Following are examples of possible curbs:
BINDING CAPS
Under the UN's Kyoto protocol, about 40 developed nations have agreed to cut emissions of greenhouse gases -- mainly from power plants, factories and cars -- by 5.2 percent below 1990 levels by 2008-12. Developing nations reject such strict goals because their energy use is relatively low.
INTENSITY TARGETS
The United States aims plans to cut the amount of heat-trapping gases it emits per dollar of economic output by 18 percent in the decade to 2012. Some poor nations might accept similar goals, which are less strict than Kyoto-style caps.
SECTOR TARGETS
Big sources of greenhouse gases like the car, steel or cement industries could adopt international emissions standards.
TECHNOLOGY
Rich nations could invest in developing new technology, like ways to filter carbon dioxide from emissions from coal-fired power plants, and promise to share it with poor nations.
HIGHER EMISSIONS TARGETS
Developing nations could get goals for emissions, above current levels. If they managed to keep emissions below target they could sell their surplus greenhouse gases on an international market. If they failed, they would have to buy pollution permits. An alternative is a "no lose" target with no penalty for overshooting a target.
STAGED APPROACH
Poorest nations, perhaps those with per capita incomes below $4,000 a year, would get no emissions targets. Others would get ever stricter goals with richest nations making biggest cuts.
REUTERS NEWS SERVICE
