| October 9, 2009 |  |
U.S. Stance Hinders Progress at Bangkok Climate Talks
Statement by Alden Meyer, Union of Concerned Scientists
BANGKOK (October 9, 2009) — Two weeks of climate talks wrapped up today in Bangkok. Incremental progress was made on some of the less charged negotiating issues. But the talks fell short on the biggest issues, including developed countries' emissions reductions, commitments for the United States, and financing to help developing country adapt to climate change and reduce their own emissions. Only one more five-day negotiating session remains, in Barcelona early next month, before nations assemble in Copenhagen in December for the high-stakes climate summit.
Below is a statement by Alden Meyer, director of strategy and policy at the Union of Concerned Scientists.
"Just two months before Copenhagen, the Bangkok climate negotiations did little to move the ball forward. Bold steps are clearly needed from the world's leaders to break the deadlock in the negotiations, and time is running short.
"One key to a meaningful deal in Copenhagen is science-based emissions reduction commitments by industrialized countries. On this front, the recent announcements of more ambitious targets from Japan and Norway are most welcome, but the slow pace of climate and energy legislation in the Senate has left the United States unwilling to even get on the playing field. And the U.S. reluctance to accept legally binding emissions reduction commitments, together with a meaningful compliance regime, is threatening the entire negotiating process.
"President Obama and Senate leaders must work together to advance comprehensive domestic climate and energy legislation in the next two months, so that the world sees that Congress fully supports the president in addressing the climate change problem. Such a clean energy bill will strengthen the president's hand in Copenhagen, boost our economy, enhance our national security, and create lots of good new jobs for American workers.
"The other key issue in these negotiations is greatly increasing funding for developing countries to deploy clean technologies, reduce deforestation, and adapt to the impacts of global warming. Here in Bangkok, the United States, European Union, Japan, and other industrialized countries once again failed to put forward a credible finance package. Most of the key developing countries have expressed willingness to take significant action to limit their emissions if such assistance is forthcoming, but they are not getting a serious response from the other side. If industrialized countries don't start putting their cards on the table soon, there's not going to be a card game in Copenhagen.
"At the United Nations climate summit last month, President Obama stated that 'our generation's response to this challenge will be judged by history.' There is still time to make sure that the Copenhagen climate summit meets this test—but only if President Obama and other world leaders use the next two months wisely, and truly lead."
The Union of Concerned Scientists puts rigorous, independent science to work to solve our planet's most pressing problems. Joining with citizens across the country, we combine technical analysis and effective advocacy to create innovative, practical solutions for a healthy, safe, and sustainable future.
