Climate Compromise in Works at G8
Citizens for Global Solutions relayed news this morning that a climate compromise might be forthcoming from the G8 negotiations, where U.S. intransigence had been expected to hold up any sort of meaningful deal to cut global carbon emissions.
Meanwhile, China, which is only an informal participant at this week's G8 summit and not subject to the dictums of the Kyoto Protocol, unveiled its first national plan on climate change this Monday. More on that below from the Worldwatch Institute's China Watch initiative. From the Citizens for Global Solutions blog09:36:42 am, by Becca Brown Reuters reports that the G8 leaders have agreed to a "substantial reduction of greenhouse gases," and a re-commitment to UN climate negotiations, but the final G8 communique will not include the firm emissions targets sought by Europe. The G8 'sherpas' met late into the night last night to hammer out new draft language on climate change. According to the Financial Times, the new draft includes a commitment by all the G8 nations, including the U.S., to negotiate a UN climate agreement by 2009. "The U.S. will be actively involved -- if not taking the lead -- in a post-Kyoto framework." - President Bush, speaking this morning at the G8 summit in Heiligendamm, Germany If this language remains in the final communique, it would represent a significant policy shift for the Bush administration, which has consistently opposed U.S. participation in the Kyoto Protocol, and refused to participate in UN climate negotiations. Speaking after a meeting with Bush this morning, Prime Minister Blair waxed optimistic about the outcome. "I think that it is possible that well leave the summit with a commitment on the part of everyone to a substantial reduction of greenhouse gases by 2050 as a global target that is of the order of the type of figures the Europeans are talking about, said Mr Blair. Negotiations on climate change will continue this afternoon... -Becca Environmental Defense Press ReleaseG8 Climate Agreement Puts New Focus on U.S. Congress to Lead With Emissions Cap (Washington -- June 7, 2007) The G8 agreement reached today is an important step forward in the global effort to address climate change, but the lack of agreement on a numerical target for reducing greenhouse gases puts new pressure on the U.S. Congress to enact a firm cap on emissions. The spotlight is now squarely on Congress. If America wants to lead, its up to U.S. lawmakers, said Environmental Defense President Fred Krupp. We need to take care of our own house before other countries will take care of theirs. Importantly, G8 leaders today agreed to negotiate a new accord by 2009 under the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change -- bound by the conventions goal of averting dangerous climate change. The key to getting a meaningful agreement in future talks will be strong caps on U.S. greenhouse gas emissions, without which other nations will be reluctant to move forward. The U.S. is the world's biggest emitter of greenhouse gases and has been the most reluctant to adopt firm emissions limits. From Worldwatch's China Watch InitiativeChina Releases Plan on Climate Change China unveiled its first national plan on climate change this Monday, after two years of preparation by the State Council, the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC), and 17 other departments. The plan is Chinas first comprehensive policy documentation on climate change, as well as the first plan of its kind made by a developing country, Ma Kai, head of the NDRC, said at the news conference. The five-part plan was developed under the approval of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change. It states Chinas current situation and efforts on climate change, as well as the effects and challenges of climate change in the country. It also lays forth the nations guidelines and goals for tackling the problem, related policies and measures, and Chinas stance on climate change and the need for international cooperation. Rather than setting a direct target for the reduction or avoidance of greenhouse gas emissions, the Chinese government aims to reduce energy consumption per unit of gross domestic product (GDP) by 20 percent by 2010, according to the plan. China also aims to increase the share of renewable energy (including large hydropower) in primary energy provision to some 10 percent and to cover roughly 20 percent of the nations land with forest. China has set another major goal of strengthening its capacity to adapt to climate change, focusing on grassland restoration, improved irrigation efficiency, forest and wildlife conservation, flood control, and coastal security. The plan stresses the key roles of technology transfer and international cooperation in helping China move toward a low-carbon economy, which is considered crucial to transitioning away from the countrys current energy structure. Technology and cost are major barriers to energy efficiency in China, and it is considered difficult to alter the nations coal-dependent resource and consumption framework in the short term. The United States and China, the worlds top two carbon dioxide emitters, recently agreed in their second strategic economic dialogue to collaborate on the promotion of clean coal technology. This includes developing large-scale coalbed methane capture projects in China, enhancing research and development of carbon capture and storage technologies, and formulating a national low-sulfur fuel policy for China. |
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