The US said it was unfair to expect rich countries to cut emissions while developing nations like China and India continue to pollute.

The Americans raised the pitch at the UN climate change talks in Barcelona leading to deadlock ahead of the Copenhagen summit at the end of the year.

Jay Patmore, a London based Greenpeace activist, says: “There is an urgent need for a middle path. The US being the richest countries needs to set an example and accept legally binding cuts and expect less but tangible steps from the developing countries where millions still live in poverty.”

“Having the two largest populations in the world, India and China will also have to promise certain emission cuts and steps to reassure the Americans and the developed world that their own efforts don’t go futile.”

Already, the UK Government and others have been forced to concede that the chance of any legally-binding deal is unlikely before the end of next year.

Under current proposals the rich countries are expected to cut carbon emissions by between 25 and 40 per cent by 2020. The rich world would also pay out billions of pounds every year to help developing nations adapt to climate change and cut emissions.