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President to Attend
Copenhagen Climate Talks
Administration Announces
U.S. Emission Target for Copenhagen
The White House announced
today that President Obama will travel to Copenhagen on Dec. 9 to
participate in the United Nations Climate Change Conference, where he is
eager to work with the international community to drive progress toward a
comprehensive and operational Copenhagen accord. The President has worked
steadily on behalf of a positive outcome in Copenhagen throughout the
year. Based on the President’s work on climate change over the past 10
months – in the Major Economies Forum, the G20, bilateral discussions and
multilateral consultations – and based on progress made in recent,
constructive discussions with China and India’s Leaders, the President
believes it is possible to reach a meaningful agreement in Copenhagen. The
President’s decision to go is a sign of his continuing commitment and
leadership to find a global solution to the global threat of climate
change, and to lay the foundation for a new, sustainable and prosperous
clean energy future.
The White House also
announced that, in the context of an overall deal in Copenhagen that
includes robust mitigation contributions from China and the other emerging
economies, the President is prepared to put on the table a U.S. emissions
reduction target in the range of 17% below 2005 levels in 2020 and
ultimately in line with final U.S. energy and climate legislation. In
light of the President’s goal to reduce emissions 83% by 2050, the
expected pathway set forth in this pending legislation would entail a 30%
reduction below 2005 levels in 2025 and a 42% reduction below 2005 in
2030. 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. With less than two weeks
to go until the beginning of the Copenhagen conference, it is essential
that the countries of the world, led by the major economies, do what it
takes to produce a strong, operational agreement that will both launch us
on a concerted effort to combat climate change and serve as a stepping
stone to a legally binding treaty. The President is working closely with
Congress to pass energy and climate legislation as soon as possible.
Underscoring President
Obama’s commitment to American leadership on clean energy and combating
climate change, the White House also announced today that a host of
Cabinet secretaries and other top officials from across the Administration
will travel to Copenhagen for the conference. Interior Secretary Ken
Salazar, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack, Commerce Secretary Gary Locke,
Energy Secretary Steven Chu, and Environmental Protection Agency
Administrator Lisa P. Jackson are all scheduled to attend, along with
Council on Environmental Quality Chair Nancy Sutley, and Assistant to the
President for Energy and Climate Change Carol Browner.
For the first time, the U.S.
delegation will have a U.S. Center at the conference, providing a unique
and interactive forum to share our story with the world. In addition to
working with other countries to advance American interests, U.S. delegates
will keynote a series of events highlighting actions by the Obama
Administration to provide domestic and global leadership in the transition
to a clean energy economy. Topics will range from energy efficiency
investments and global commitments to renewables policy and clean energy
jobs. The following keynote events and speakers are currently scheduled:
· Wednesday, December 9th:
Taking Action at Home, EPA Administrator Lisa P. Jackson
· Thursday, December 10th:
New Energy Future: the role of public lands in clean energy production and
carbon capture, Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar
· Friday, December 11th:
Clean Energy Jobs in a Global Marketplace, Commerce Secretary Gary Locke
· Monday, December 14th:
Leading in Energy Efficiency and Renewables, Energy Secretary Steven Chu
· Tuesday, December 15th:
Clean Energy Investments: creating opportunities for rural economies,
Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack
· Thursday, December 17th:
Backing Up International Agreement with Domestic Action, CEQ Chair Nancy
Sutley and Assistant to the President Carol Browner
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