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Canadian officials are warning that any post-Kyoto pact to reduce greenhouse gases must recognize the country's uniqueness as an economic force and emerging energy superpower.

The position will form the key to Stephen Harper's strategy as he enters discussions with leaders of the world's industrialized nations next week as they try to forge a way ahead after the Kyoto agreement runs out in 2012.

“What we have to be sure of is that we have a solution that, while it advances things internationally, also reflects the fact that Canada is a country with a growing economy, a growing population [and] a major energy sector,” a senior official said, briefing reporters on next week's meeting of the G8 industrialized nations.

“We're special, we're unique in the G8. We're not like Europe. We're not like the United States in all respects. We'll be looking for a result that both advances things on an international level but is also true to Canadian requirements.

“… There's no one set solution for everybody.”

Mr. Harper's government has been criticized by its political opponents for not agreeing to a proposal put forward by German Chancellor Angela Merkel and for running interference for the United States, which has reportedly balked at a number of the German ideas.

Mr. Harper has said he wants Canada to act as a bridge between the European community and other countries, including the United States, and with major polluters that currently have no Kyoto targets, such as China.

Speaking to reporters yesterday after giving a speech at the Federation of Canadian Municipalities annual meeting in Calgary, Mr. Harper said he had spoken with British Prime Minister Tony Blair and Ms. Merkel Friday morning.

“My sense was that there is a feeling of optimism around the table but there are some differences of opinion among various countries and there are still some gaps to be bridged.”

He noted that U.S. President George W. Bush's speech this week calling for a 2008 global target for greenhouse-gas reductions was “a positive development” and he appreciates that China and India will be at the meeting to talk about climate change.

The government's senior official said the nations attending the summit will have to see how they can agree “on common approaches, but common approaches that reflect the fact that we're all different.”

Liberal Leader Stéphane Dion immediately criticized the approach, saying Canada will be seen as a laggard if it insists on its uniqueness being a significant part of a deal.

“That doesn't mean that Canada and other countries don't have specific issues to raise, but if that's the main thing we have in mind, that means we're ready to work only as a slow mover,” he said. “We're the slowest partner of the team and it's the opposite of what we should do.”

Aside from the notion that Canada is unique, officials were vague about the country's position going into the talks. For example, the German proposal calls on countries to agree to a number of international targets, including cuts to emissions of 50 per cent below 1990 levels, a pledge to ensure world temperatures rise by no more than two degrees and targets to improve energy efficiency by 20 per cent.

When asked specifically about how the Canadian proposal would address the European desires, officials said the answers can be found in a recent government plan to deal with climate change.

A spokeswoman for the Prime Minister, Sandra Buckler, said Mr. Harper plans to talk up the Canadian proposal.

“We don't have the German plan. We don't have the American plan. We have the Canadian plan and, for the first time in a very long time, the Prime Minister is going to go to the G8 with strong credibility,” Ms. Buckler said.

Canada's greenhouse-gas plan calls for cuts to emissions to reach 50 per cent below 2006 levels and officials believe their plan is aggressive enough to reach the 1990 baseline. However, Ms. Merkel's targets are for worldwide emissions and developed nations such as Canada would be expected to go substantially further than the 50-per-cent figure.

Some critics are also concerned that Canada will not agree to a post-Kyoto deal that operates under the United Nations.

Meanwhile, Ms. Buckler said Mr. Harper has not yet spoken to Mr. Bush about his proposal this week that calls on 15 major nations to agree by the end of 2008 to a global target for greenhouse-gas reductions. The idea has had a mixed reception, with politicians such as Britain's Mr. Blair characterizing it as a significant step forward, while environmental groups say the United States has little credibility on the matter.

During his five-day trip, Mr. Harper also plans to drop in on newly elected French President Nicolas Sarkozy, who has proposed that import taxes be levied against countries that fail to respect the Kyoto accord. A senior official at the briefing was unconcerned about the issue at this juncture. The Canadian delegation will also include Environment Minister John Baird, and Mr. Harper also plans to meet with officials of the European Union.

With a report from David Ebner in Calgary