Former White House Adviser Urges U.S.-China Climate Change Summit

March 1, 2009

Email this story Print this post Add your comments

A former White House adviser suggests the U.S. and China should hold a summit featuring an agreement on climate change, Reuters reports.

A summit between the top two emitters of greenhouse gases would help overcome domestic misgivings in each country and create international support for a new global pack by the end of 2009, said Kenneth Lieberthal, a former National Security Council officer in the Clinton administration.

Previously, the Bush administration refused to ratify the Kyoto Protocol citing China’s refusal to accept emissions caps as one reason. The Kyoto Protocol will expire at the end of 2012.

A bilateral agreement and clearer emissions undertakings from China would help overcome oppositions to the U.S. joining a successor to the Kyoto Protocol, said Lieberthal.

Currently rich nations have converged on targets of around 15 percent GHG emission reductions by 2020. However, cuts of 15 percent from current levels falls short of the 25 percent to 40 percent reductions advised by scientists in the U.N. Climate Panel.

Representatives from 22 of the world’s major carbon emitting countries recently met in Tokyo to participate in an informal session on ways to tackle climate change. The U.S. has been facing pressure to pass legislation to move forward with climate goals before scheduled international talks in Copenhagen in December.

Email this story Print this post Add your comments

Advertisers

Enhance Sustainability. Improve Profitability.

Learn how at the SAP Sustainability Resource Center. >>

Unclear about the EPA's new GHG Rule?

Learn how it could affect your business. >>

EPA mandatory emissions reporting starts Jan 1st

CSA Standards can help your organization get ready for compliance. Find out how. >>

Best Practices: Product Environmental Compliance

How to achieve compliance at a significantly lower cost. Download the full report. >>

Join the Discussion

Reader Comments

A US-China summit would be a good start … legislation would help … but let’s not forget the critical role businesses can and should play in addressing the climate crisis. For-profit enterprise brings a unique perspective and resources to the table, and can impact positive change in ways government can not. I just published a blog post on this topic: http://earthkeeper.com/blog/.

Kate King
Timberland

Kate King | March 3rd, 2009

Recent Daily News [ see all ]

11/20/2009
11/19/2009
11/18/2009

Charts [ see all ]

European Paper Industry Cuts CO2 Emissions by 42% since 1990

S. America Takes Most Urgent View of Copenhagen Talks

Nike Tops Annual Climate Action Scores

Oceans May Trap more Carbon than Forests

Jobs

View All Jobs >> Post a Job >>

Comments and Discussions

Trade Association on Trade Group on EPA Chemical Regs: ‘If Everything is a Priority, Then Nothing is a Priority’
"Seriously… that..."

Gary Markowitz on Supermarkets Tackle Emissions Reductions, Fuel Efficiency
"Supermarkets waste over 10 percent of their energy through improper..."

peter in ireland on Ontario May Follow California’s Lead on TV Energy Efficiency
"Governor Schwarzenegger is shooting himself in the foot! 1...."

Environmental Leader on S. America Takes Most Urgent View of Copenhagen Talks
"The survey respondents (the PDF report mentions 4,000 respondents in 38..."

Jake on UPS Trying New Hydraulic Hybrid Trucks
"A point of clarification: the Reuters press release referenced herein reports that 20 UPS will purchase..."

Custom Organic Shirts on S. America Takes Most Urgent View of Copenhagen Talks
"90% of North Americans believe it is urgent to get a global climate..."

peter dublin on California City’s Green Building Ordinance Applies to Commercial Buildings
"Why energy efficiebnt regulation on buildings –..."

Environmental Leader