Copenhagen has highlighted the difficulties of achieving worldwide cooperation between governments in agreeing to future emission targets.

The conference ended at least recognising scientific advice to limit warming to 2C.

However, with no legally binding emission reduction targets, and all countries simply asked to nominate their targets - with the Australian Government saying it will wait until all other countries have acted, prior to nominating our target - I question our government's commitment.

This means another meeting in about six months' time, to again attempt to achieve legally binding emission targets globally.

This all comes as no surprise given worldwide differences between living standards and development, and the disproportionate contributions to emissions and impacts of climate change.

Climate change has brought with it the challenge of world equity, with our need to address both emissions and impacts globally.

Countries have not contributed to past emissions equally, nor are the impacts of climate change being shared equally around the world.

Developed countries such as Australia cannot hide from the fact that past emissions have caused up to 80 per cent of warming to date, and current emissions by developed and developing countries like China and India are adding to the problem at an increasing rate.

The problem is being caused largely by the wealthier societies with their excessive levels of energy use and emissions, while the impacts will be felt disproportionately by the poor of developing countries.

It is in this sense an issue of international justice. But it is also an issue of inter-generational justice since it is being caused by past and current generations but future generations will have to face the consequences of both our greenhouse gas emissions and the depletion of Earth's natural resources.

The solution will require varying responses by developed and developing countries, and we as an affluent and highly developed country enjoying one of the world's highest standard of living should be prepared to play our part.

The fact that Australia is the worlds 16th largest emitter, has the developed world's highest per capita emission rate and is the world's largest exporter of coal, compounds our responsibilities.

We simply cannot condemn the actions of other countries and expect others to lead in the reduction of carbon emissions while we continue to lead the world's per capita emissions.

John Pettigrew is a Bunbarthabased horticulturist and a presenter with Al Gore's Climate Project.

This is the last column in a series by John Pettigrew. Country News thanks John for his stimulating and sometimes provocative commentary.