Climate Change was a primary issue in international politics this week, as leaders of the G20 nations met in London and negotiations resumed in Bonn, Germany to draft a treaty to replace the Kyoto Protocol when it expires in 2012.
The Obama administration made it’s first appearances at both events, generating much excitement for its committment to international cooperation and leadership.
On Thursday, President Barack Obama said the United States would "lead by example" in combating climate change so that developing nations would follow suit.
He told a news conference that China and India "justifiably chafe at the idea that they should somehow sacrifice their development for our efforts to control climate change."
"If China and India with their populations had the same energy usage as the average American then we would all have melted by now," he said.
However, he did say thes Asian nations–two of the world largest emitters of greenhouse gases–would need to be part of the solution.
Environmentalists Disappointed
Some environmental groups, who hoped the G20 leaders would take concrete steps to boost ongoing climate change negotiations, were disappointed that the leaders merely reasserted their committment to reaching a treaty by December 2009, when U.N. talks conclude in Copenhagen.
The G20 meeting focused more intently on the global finanial meltdown, issuing a $1 trillion pledge to save economies around the world.
Green spending is estimated at up to 15% of global recovery plans now. Green policy analysts say they should be between a fifth and a half to boost transition to clean energy economies.
"For making the transition to a ‘green’ economy there is no money on the table, just vague aspirations," Greenpeace executive director John Sauven said.
U.N. climate change chief Yvo de Boer said significant actions would have been welcomed, but he was pleased that the leaders reiterated their committment to reaching a climate change agreement.
Call For Deeper Cuts
Developing nations this week have called for stronger, more aggressive cuts in greenhouse gases by rich nations. This week China and India joined small island nations insisting rich nations should set targets of reducing emissions at least 40% by 2020.
The European Union has so far set the most ambitious target of 20% cuts by 2020, agreeing to boost this level to 30%, if other nations participate.
Fears of Protectionism
Also this week in Bonn, developing nations raised concerns that rich nations will resort to protective tariffs, if they put in place goals for reducing their industry emissions. Such tariffs, in trying to level the playing field for domestic industries, would shift some of the burden to industries in developing nations that are not required to meet strict emissions targets.
The U.S. and other developed nations tried to ease these fears, during negotiations this week. Yet clearly politicians in the U.S. and elsewhere are working to protect their industries, considering mechanisms that will keep heavy industries from shutting down and moving oversees.
Read extended Reuters coverage at the link below.
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