2005 Press Releases
Kyoto Protocol/Climate Change Fact Sheet
February 2005
Background
Former President Clinton signed the Kyoto Protocol in 1998 that, if ratified, would have committed the US to a 7% reduction in 1990’s level greenhouse gases between 2008-2012. It was not sent to Congress for ratification.
In March 2001, President Bush announced that the United States would not support Kyoto.
US Policy on the Kyoto Protocol
The emission targets are not “scientifically based” and many targets are unrealistic.
The US is concerned over the potential damage the Kyoto Protocol, if ratified, could inflict on the US economy. To reach the required targets the US would need to reduce emissions dramatically. The estimated impact on our economy has been estimated at $400 billion and 4.9 million jobs.
By excluding developing countries, the Kyoto Protocol fails to capture a large measure of potential global greenhouse gas emissions.
"We must address the issue of global climate change. We must also act in a serious and responsible way, given the scientific uncertainties. While these uncertainties remain, we can begin now to address the human factors that contribute to climate change. Wise action now is an insurance policy against future risks." - President George W. Bush, Feb 14th 2002
US Climate Change Strategy
In February 2002, President Bush committed the United States to an ambitious climate change strategy calling for tax incentives and voluntary measures to reduce U.S. CO2 emissions by 18 percent over the next 10 years.
Transformational technologies and scientific research form the core element of the administration’s strategy on climate control.
Since June 2001, the United States has developed numerous agreements with major international partners to pursue research and develop technologies to address global climate change. New bilateral agreements have been established with countries representing over 70 percent of global greenhouse gas emissions.
The United States is committed to spending $1.7 billion, in just the first five years, to fund the Freedom CAR (Cooperative Automotive Research) and Hydrogen Fuel Initiative, which will develop emission-free automotive operating systems that run on hydrogen.
U.S. technological initiatives include the Carbon Sequestration Leadership Forum; the International Partnership for a Hydrogen Economy; Methane-for-Markets Partnership; the General IV International Forum; and, the Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Partnership.
Questions and Answers
Question: How does the US respond to claims that it is not taking climate change seriously?
The United States takes the issue of climate change very seriously and remains committed to the U.N. Framework Convention on Climate Change and to the mutual goals of sustainable development and economic growth.
We have an ambitious near-term goal to reduce the growth of our greenhouse gas emissions by 18% over the next 10 years. We are investing billions of dollars to address climate change—both in the near-term and long-term.
We are also fully engaged internationally, and are leading major bilateral and multilateral climate change initiatives.
While we may differ in our approaches to addressing climate change, we are all working toward the same goal. And the U.S. will continue to cooperate with all nations in this important effort.
The White House commissions a yearly updated report issued by the U.S. Climate Change Program. The most recent report, issued in August 2004, highlights most recent research and plans for additional research necessary to take into account the risks and opportunities of climate change. This most recent report makes a stronger connection between climate change and human activities than past reports.
Twenty-eight states plus Puerto Rico have developed or are developing strategies or action plans to reduce net greenhouse gas emissions. For example, California has used the Federal Clean Air Act to impose stringent emissions standards, more stringent than current federal law.