Obama set to back targets in climate change deal
Monday November 23 2009
British Prime Minister Gordon Brown yesterday called for a final push to secure a climate change deal at the Copenhagen summit as America signalled it was considering agreeing a target for reducing the country's greenhouse gas emissions.
Todd Stern, the US State Department's climate change envoy, said that President Barack Obama recognised America had to produce a target for cutting emissions, though he said any figure would have to be "provisional".
Mr Brown said he detected a move by nations in both the developed and developing world towards reaching an agreement.
"I hope and believe other countries will follow their example over the next few weeks," Mr Brown said.
"I believe these decisions are a clear sign of growing international momentum for an ambitious, fair and effective agreement in Copenhagen."
The US declaration boosted the hopes of environmentalists pushing for a global agreement at next month's Copenhagen summit.
"What we are looking at is to see whether we could put down essentially a provisional number that would be contingent on our legislation," said Mr Stern. "We are looking at that, there are people we need to consult with."
America, which along with China is responsible for 40pc of the world's greenhouse gases, is the only major developed country yet to set a Copenhagen target for reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
Mr Obama has previously called for legislation cutting emissions by 14pc of 2005 levels by 2020 and 83pc in 2050.
The Senate has not yet debated the legislation and is unlikely to do so before next November's midterm elections.
A draft bill proposes a 20pc cut in emissions by 2020 but several Democrats have said they could not support the measure.
Fail
Mr Brown warned world leaders that they "cannot afford to fail" to strike a substantial deal on climate change in Copenhagen.
The prime minister said the United Nations summit had to mark a "decisive global shift" towards tackling the problem.
The comments were made in a letter to Lars Rasmussen, the Danish prime minister, formally confirming that he will attend the event in person.
Mr Brown urged other leaders to follow his example, insisting that their presence at the summit sent an "important signal".
More than 60 world leaders will attend the Copenhagen conference, elevating it to the level of a major summit and improving its prospects of success. (© Daily Telegraph, London)
- Toby Harnden in Washington
Irish Independent
