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INSTANT VIEW 2-Bush calls international climate-change meeting

03 Aug 2007 17:09:30 GMT
Source: Reuters

WASHINGTON, Aug 3 (Reuters) - U.S. President George W. Bush has set global warming talks next month that will bring together the world's biggest polluters to seek agreement on reducing greenhouse gases.

Bush invited 11 countries plus the European Union and the United Nations to attend the meeting in Washington Sept. 27-28 to work toward setting a long-term goal by 2008 to cut emissions.

Following are reactions to the initiative.

GORDON BROWN, BRITISH PRIME MINISTER:

"We welcome U.S. engagement in the international efforts to combat climate change. It's a huge challenge which requires an urgent and multilateral response. We look forward to seeing more details."

MICHAEL NORTHROP, GLOBAL SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR AT ROCKEFELLER BROTHERS FUND:

"It would be nice to think the Bush administration has finally accepted the seriousness of climate change, but given their track record, there is reason for skepticism."

PAT HEMLEPP, SPOKESMAN FOR AMERICAN ELECTRIC POWER CO <AEP.N>, THE LARGEST U.S. CONSUMER OF COAL:

"It is important to reach a post-Kyoto (emissions-reduction treaty) agreement that will include all nations including the developing nations. So we are looking forward to what comes out of the September meeting.

"Unless similar action (to limit emissions) is being taken by rapidly industrializing nations like China and India, it would be inappropriate for the U.S. to be taking a mandatory action that could damage our economy."

ANNIE PETSONK, INTERNATIONAL COUNSEL AT ENVIRONMENTAL DEFENSE:

"The administration has indicated they regard this as one of a series of meetings that would feed into the U.N. framework on climate change ... that could be quite useful."

"If they say (the new process) will last until the end of the Bush administration ... they will give the impression that they are running out the clock on international climate negotiations," under U.N. auspices.

FARHAN HAQ, U.N. SPOKESMAN:

"We're very hopeful that ... we have some real momentum going into the Bali meeting in December," of U.N. climate talks.

JOHN COEQUYT, ENERGY POLICY ANALYST FOR THE ENVIRONMENTAL GROUP GREENPEACE:

"We're definitely concerned that the meetings in Washington are going to be used to erode support for the process that's strengthening at the U.N. ... It's definitely possible that they're going to try to roll this out as an alternative. I think that that would be a disaster."

"He (Bush) is talking about attending this meeting ... And at the same time he's threatening to veto the energy bill, which includes renewable energy and auto efficiency increases. ... So we think his actions and his words are a little at odds at this point."

BRENT DORSEY, DIRECTOR OF ENVIRONMENT PROGRAM AT ENTERGY CORP <ETR.N>, THE SECOND-LARGEST U.S. NUCLEAR OPERATOR:

"The plan from the Bush administration is still a voluntary plan. We think a mandatory plan is absolutely necessary."

"We also think that market based solutions like cap-and-trade provide the least-cost solution for the economy."

ERON BLOOMGARDEN DIRECTOR OF U.S. PROGRAMS AT CARBON CREDIT DEVELOPER ECOSECURITIES:

"If this is a real effort to join the international dialogue, the global community and carbon market would be very enthusiastic about that. The question, though is this just a delay tactic to avoid mandatory limits?"

"With major U.S. industrials supporting a firm cap, it seems the market is here and it is time for the Bush administration to join the conversation."

ELLIOT DIRINGER, DIRECTOR OF INTERNATIONAL STRATEGIES AT PEW CENTER ON GLOBAL CLIMATE CHANGE:.

"Binding limits on emissions is something the administration has resisted from the start. If this is just to carry on with a voluntary approach, then it could be worse than useless."

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Last updated:Fri Aug 3 17:11:00 2007