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Bush Jr launches into his penultimate G8 with a final chance to slag off Arab leaders along with his best mate Tony - remember last year's "Yo, Blair" incident? - but his paramount concern must be how many bodyguards to take into his "private" chat with Russian leader Vladimir Putin tomorrow.

But second on the list is climate change, and he's come with his homework done.

Granted, his proposal relies on voluntary enforcement rather than a carrot-and-stick system - though this may well be the only practical way to get developing countries on board. 

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As Tony Blair scribbled down his to-do list for his tenth and final G8, sealing his legacy was probably right at the top.

The longest serving and thus "senior G8 leader", he's in a good position to steer the agenda and ensure he comes out glowing.

On climate change, he'll likely attempt to bridge the gap between the US and Europe over German chancellor Angela Merkel's tough new line - to ensure G8 states set clear goals for reducing emissions, create a carbon market and commit to UN-led, Kyoto-based climate monitoring.

Blair insists the key to environmental protection is to move the discussions forward with the US on board.

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Nicolas Sarkozy - "Sarko" to his countrymen - is enjoying a rare honeymoon. The hyperactive new president's approval ratings are at an all-time high of 65 per cent among his Gallic compatriots.

Despite the bucolic setting of the Baltic resort of Heiligendamm serving as the backdrop to his first G8, don't expect him to shy away from heated discussions. Sarkozy stated previously that he wants a "frank" dialogue with his Russian counterpart, Vladimir Putin.

During his election campaign, Sarko criticised the Russian leader for having "blood on his hands" from the Chechnyan conflict. This frosty relationship will only get colder with France's decision to back US plans to base a new missile-defence system in Europe.

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Environmental issues will be the priority for Japanese prime minister Shinzo Abe, who is taking part in his first G8 meeting as head of state.

The Japanese government approved new environmental measures for 2007 just in time for the Heiligendamm summit with a raft of measures designed to encourage the entire nation to take action to meet the duties of the Kyoto Protocol.

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Vladimir Putin has accused George Bush of inciting another cold war, according to news reports in Russia.

The Russian president said that with the luxury of experience from the Soviet years he won't be launching a full-scale defence programme - but may still take the opportunity to test the new intercontinental ballistic racket missiles RC-24.

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Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper has been trying to make friends in view of this week's G8 summit.

Critics allege that the Conservative leader's pre-conference efforts have focused on minimising international criticism over Canada's failure to meet Kyoto carbon emission goals.

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3:11 minutes (1.83 MB)Julian Bhone, on EC1 FM, explains what German people can expect from G8 summit as well as what is happening within anti-G8 movement

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Deconstructing the G8 timetable...

Thursday 7 June 2007

0930:    Official welcome of G8 heads of state and government

“Velcom to Gerrrrmeny! Ve vill hav verk and fun too, ja.” Merkel sings David Hasselhoff's "Looking For Freedom". "He liberated us from communism, you know," she explains to a baffled Bush, who asks if Pamela Anderson is a member of G8.

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Italian prime minister Romano Prodi aims to work hand in hand with German chancellor Angela Merkel on environmental issues. Both leaders hope to convince the US to set long term climate change targets.

Prodi also met with Irish rocker Bono to discuss environmentalism.