This report provides background information that is relevant to assessing the ambition levels of the major countries involved in the current international climate negotiations. The EU’s performance is assessed in detail, including the anticipated impact of the current economic recession. An overview is provided of the emission reductions – globally and per region – that are required to limit global warming to 2°C, as well as ways to share these reductions between the major countries. The proposed actions by major countries are compared to the reductions required to limit global warming to 2°C.