Delegates from some EU countries have suggested that others with large areas of forest - such as Austria, Finland and Sweden - are pushing for lax regulation, along with Russia and Australia.

BBC: Rich countries accused of carbon 'cheating'

Mr Gore's words, though - and those of US Senator John Kerry on Thursday - may have begun to convince delegates that if EU leadership on climate is faltering, the US under Barack Obama is poised to take over.

BBC: Gore's tough message to leaders

Speaking at a reception in Thailand, Dan Ashe, the head of the US delegation, called upon all the delegates to reject the EU compromise and asked them to support the American proposal.

BBC: Polar bear trade ban 'too close to call'

Digital agenda commissioner Neelie Kroes told delegates at CeBIT that the EU's competitiveness is "under threat" if it cannot fill the expertise gap.

BBC: Neelie Kroes

Delegates have been keeping one eye on the EU talks in Brussels, where heads of state from member countries reached agreement on their energy and climate "package", although it has yet to be ratified by the European Parliament.

BBC: Gore's tough message to leaders