Posted by Nickengland on September 5, 2005, at 6:12:07
In reply to US agrees climate deal with Asia, posted by Nickengland on September 5, 2005, at 6:02:18
And finally....
The US pollutes more, absolutely and per head, than any other country (it also produces more wealth). Its greenhouse emissions have risen by more than 11% since 1990: its Kyoto commitment was to reduce them by 6%. It is the only country to have signed the protocol and then to have repudiated it. President Bush said in March the US would not ratify Kyoto, because he thought it could damage the US economy and because it does not yet require developing countries to cut their emissions. His domestic and foreign critics think the US will lose economically by staying aloof.
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The EU wants a rigorous application of Kyoto, allowing only restricted use of its flexibility mechanisms: these allow countries to go some way to meeting their pollution reduction targets by paying for improvements beyond their frontiers. The EU says countries should meet at least half their targets by cutting emissions at home. It also opposes widespread use of forests and other carbon "sinks" to absorb pollution. While the green blocs in several northern European governments remain rigorous, the UK is trying to rebuild bridges with the US. But the EU will probably remain united in seeking Kyoto's early entry into force.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/hi/english/static/in_depth/sci_tech/2001/climate_change/default.stm
Kind regards
Nick
poster:Nickengland
thread:550459
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/poli/20050728/msgs/550844.html