Collective Practical Action for Our Global Predicament

Ambassador Bill McCormick.

Addressing Climate Change in Bali, an Op-Ed in the Christchurch Press by Ambassador Bill McCormick

There is no dispute: climate change is a serious challenge. The November 17 Synthesis Report issued by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) concluded both that warming of the climate system is unequivocal and that most of the observed warming during the past 50 years is very likely caused by human activity.

The United States is part of the international consensus that recognizes the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change is the appropriate venue for negotiating future international climate efforts.

In the run-up to the Bali conference, it is important to underscore President Bush's commitment to advancing negotiations under the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).

Over the next couple of weeks we look forward to working with New Zealand and other like-minded countries in Bali to reach consensus on a Bali Roadmap for this new global framework. We will be open. We will listen carefully to the ideas of others in an effort to achieve consensus.

The United States is committed to developing a new post-2012 framework that is global. We are committed to concluding this framework under the UNFCCC by 2009.

We believe that a post-2012 framework must be environmentally effective and economically sustainable. To attract global participation, the framework must support broader social and economic goals.

Our climate policies are part of a broader sustainable development agenda. Countries in the developing world are justifiably focused on economic growth and providing for the health, education and other needs of their citizens. The world community must produce fewer greenhouse gas emissions, and we must do so in a way that promotes economic growth and helps nations deliver greater prosperity for their people. We know this can be done.

The United States is committed to doing our part. We are working multilaterally, bilaterally and domestically to take on this issue.

Along with the rest of the international community we have recognized the fundamental links among energy security, climate change, and sustainable development. The promotion of secure, affordable, and clean sources of energy is key -- including clean coal, nuclear, biofuels, and other advanced technologies.

In addition to our commitment to the UN process we have actively contributed to important climate-related discussions and efforts that have taken place in other venues, such as APEC and the G8.

On May 31 President Bush called for the development of another multilateral initiative -- a new international climate and energy security framework. Through the Major Economies process announced by the President, the United States is seeking to foster consensus on key issues among major energy users and emitters in order to make a contribution toward a new framework that would be agreed upon under the UNFCCC by 2009.

The Major Economies process is designed to contribute to, and not run counter to, global agreement under the UNFCCC. The United States believes the Major Economies process can contribute to and advance our discussions under the UNFCCC. The 21 APEC leaders, the UN Secretary-General, the IPCC Chair, and the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change Executive Secretary have all publicly welcomed the Major Economies process.

The inaugural Major Economies Meeting held in Washington September 27-28 was marked by a useful, open exchange of views on how to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, provide for energy security, and support economic prosperity.

In Bali we will share our readout on the outcomes of the first Major Economies Meeting, which we think will be helpful to the interests of all parties to the UNFCCC. Participants in the first Major Economies Meeting agreed there is value in reconvening after Bali. Plans are underway for the second Major Economies Meeting.

The U.S. is also working bilaterally with a number of countries that share our concerns about the planet’s future. New Zealand and the United States are both committed to the good stewardship of our planet, and we are fortunate to have New Zealand as a partner in our efforts.

Bilateral Climate Change cooperation between the United States and New Zealand began in 2002 with the objective of enhancing and accelerating collaboration and practical cooperation on climate change issues.

The Partnership now encompasses dozens of projects covering a broad range of climate topics including: climate change science and monitoring; technology development; emission unit registries; greenhouse gas accounting in forestry and agriculture; engaging with business; developing country assistance; public education initiatives; development of joint product and process standards; and climate change research in Antarctica.

At the beginning of the year I was privileged to join Prime Minister Clark for a first-hand look at the research our countries are carrying out together in Antarctica’s unique environmental conditions. That research is vital to developing a comprehensive understanding of the planet and the reality of climate change.

The U.S. is also acting domestically, through US$65 billion in science and technology investments and US$11 billion in lean energy incentives.

Additionally, the U.S. Government has spent more than US$18 billion on climate change research since 1990 -- more than triple the amount of any other nation.

All of these actions at home are intended to build upon our bilateral and multilateral efforts to build a post-Kyoto framework that is environmentally effective and economically sustainable and global in nature. The United States is committed to taking prudent environmental action at home and abroad to address this important collective challenge. Our collective response to climate change must be both realistic and ambitious.