|
›
Mixed results from key climate change meetings |
 |
A gathering of the world's largest polluters made clear that the U.S. still opposes mandatory targets to reduce emissions. On the contrary, an international UN meeting delivered clear signals for global policymakers to accelerate their global warming action now.
|
2007-10-01
|
Meeting in Washington on 27-28 September, the world's 17 largest emitters of greenhouse gases (GHG) discussed ways to tackle global warming through new environmental technology. U.S. President Bush, hosting the meeting, called for long-term targets to fight climate change by mid-2008, and a "strong and transparent system for measuring our progress toward meeting the goal." Bush also proposed creating an international fund, with contributions from governments, to help finance clean-energy technology in developing countries.
|
Bush: Only voluntary measures
The meeting, however, clearly showed once again the U.S. resistance to any global mandatory emissions reduction plan. Although Bush acknowledged that global warming due to human activity is one of "the greatest challenges of our time", he still only considers voluntary commitments and strategies designed by single nations.
Some of the participants, which besides the Group of 8 industrialized countries also included China, India, and Brazil, questioned Bush's leadership on the problem of global warming. Accusing him of being “isolated” within the global community, they strongly disputed the effectiveness of voluntary measures. Up to now, the U.S., currently the world's 2nd largest GHG emitter, has refused to ratify the Kyoto Protocol.
|
|
|
UN meeting a "turning point" in climate change battle
Bush's meeting came just three days after a United Nations meeting in New York, chaired by UN General Secretary Ban Ki-moon, had sent a "powerful political signal to the world." Ban Ki-moon had invited 80 head of states to prepare for a crucial UN December conference in Bali tasked with drafting a two-year road map for a post-Kyoto Protocol after 2012. Ban Ki-moon urged all participants to acknowledge the need for urgent action now: "Science has spoken clearly. Now we need a political answer."
Speaking at the UN meeting, former U.S. Vice President Al Gore urged world leaders to enforce a post-Kyoto Protocol treaty already by 2010, two years earlier than planned. To achieve this target, he proposed regular meetings every three months from 2008 on until a new treaty has been agreed upon.
|
More information:
› News Release United Nations, 28 September 2007
› Speech President Bush, 28 September 2007
› Read the article "Climate change talks to extend Kyoto", 31 August
|
