Rift Between U.S. and Europe Could Jeopardize Climate Negotiations

Policy divisions between the Obama Administration and European leaders on how carbon reductions would be measured could jeopardize the chances of success during climate talks in Copenhagen, according to The Guardian. European leaders want to retain the way carbon reduction targets are counted according to a provision in the Kyoto Protocol, in which CO2 reductions are subject to an international system, but the U.S. wants each country to set its own rules. While the U.S. has not introduced specific details, a draft agreement suggested emissions cuts should be subject to “conformity with domestic law.” According to sources quoted in the London newspaper, European leaders are reluctant to challenge the Obama administration, which has shown more willingness to confront climate change than the Bush administration. But there is mounting concern that the divisions could jeopardize the chances of a meaningful agreement at the Copenhagen talks in December. Ban Ki-moon, the UN general secretary, said he is troubled by the lack of progress in climate negotiations. “We are deeply concerned that the negotiation is not making much headway,” he said.