"Obama Announces 2020 Emissions Target, Dec. 9 Copenhagen Visit"

"President Obama today unveiled key details of the U.S. negotiation position headed into next month's global warming talks in Copenhagen, including a provisional greenhouse gas emissions target for 2020 "in the range of 17 percent below 2005 levels" and a new itinerary that includes a personal appearance during the opening days of the U.N. conference.

The White House said Obama will put the 2020 target on the bargaining table "in the context of an overall deal in Copenhagen that includes robust mitigation contributions from China and the other emerging economies." Obama's emission goals closely parallel action on Capitol Hill, including the House-passed climate bill and a Senate measure that Democratic leaders hope can reach the floor with enough votes by next spring.

"This provisional target is in line with current legislation in both chambers of Congress and demonstrates a significant contribution to a problem that the U.S. has neglected for too long," the White House said in a press release, adding that Obama was "working closely with Congress to pass energy and climate legislation as soon as possible."

Obama also spelled out his own plans to speak in Copenhagen on Dec. 9, the first visit to the annual U.N. conference by a sitting U.S. president since George H.W. Bush's 1992 trip to Rio de Janeiro...."


Darren Samuelsohn and Lisa Friedman report for ClimateWire in the New York Times November 25, 2009.

See Also:

"China Unveils Carbon Intensity Cuts" (Al Jazeera)

"China Pledges To Cut Greenhouse Gases" (Tribune Newspapers)

"China's Climate Pledge Raises Expectations for Copenhagen Summit" (Los Angeles Times)

"India Offers To Cut Carbon Intensity by 20-25%" (Times of India)

"US and China To Reduce Emissions, But Not Enough" (AP)

"Environmentalists Fume Over China Emissions Pledge" (Atlantic Wire)

"China Joins U.S. in Pledge" (New York Times)

"Climate Talks Remain Alive, But So Do Many Obstacles" (Washington Post)

"Dalai Lama Says Climate Change Needs Global Action" (Reuters)

"Australian Climate Row Highlights Copenhagen Rifts" (Reuters)

"World Is Watching China's Climate Progress: U.S." (Reuters)

"Over 85 Leaders To Attend Climate Talks" (Reuters)

"Despite Momentum, No Smooth Path To Climate Deal" (Reuters)

"Big Developing Countries Form Climate Change Front" (Reuters)

"Copenhagen Climate Talks: Main Issues" (AFP)