Although still very optimistic of the power of the G-8 on the environment, America is still critical of the Kyoto Protocol and is committed to tackling the environmental issue its own way, “setting targets in the context of national circumstances.”

They have consequently rejected the EU’s latest “all-encompassing” target on reduction of carbon emissions.

James Connaughton, chairman of the White House Council on Environmental Quality, said the United States is not against setting goals but prefers to focus them on specific sectors, such as reducing dependence on gasoline and cleaner coal. “The U.S. has different sets of targets,” he said.

…
Connaughton, who is on a one-week bipartisan trip to Europe with members of the House of Representatives, said the U.S. favors “setting targets in the context of national circumstances.” But despite the disagreements, Connaughton said the G-8 meeting, which brings together the leaders of Germany, the U.S., Russia, Britain, France, Italy, Canada and Japan, could still result in a productive conclusion.

“Let the G-8 process run its course,” he said. “Give the leaders a chance.”

…

The U.S. refused to ratify the 1997 Kyoto Protocol limiting emissions because developing countries were not included. Rising economic giants, China and India, are exempt, and the treaty says nothing about post-2012 cuts.

Bush has argued that Kyoto would harm the U.S. economy and unfairly excludes developing countries such as China and India from obligations.

This entry was posted on May 30th, 2007 at 22:35 (GMT) and is filed under Emissions Reductions, Policy, US News . You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.