Obama More Positive Than Bush At Climate Talks

Officials from 22 counties including the US, India and China and the EU met, last week, in Tokyo.

They were preparing for the Copenhagen meeting in December which will ratify changes to the international treaty on the climate, after Kyoto.

The meeting in Copenhagen is intended to fix commitments to reduce carbon emissions during the period after the expiry of the Kyoto Treaty in 2012.

A Japanese official present said that the progress in Copenhagen is now becoming clear.

Akihiko Furuya, from Japan, said that Copenhagen is only 11 months away and is extremely important; therefore all must work harder than previously.

Some of the representatives said that they were seeing a major difference in the US attitude to climate change under the Obama administration.

President Obama has promised to increase efforts in the largest economy of the world to decrease the rate of global warming.

One said that he has found a new desire to take the lead and discuss climate issues.

The leading EU representative said that he fully agreed with these remarks.

President Obama has already made appointments responsible for climate matters in his administration.

Todd Stern, who participated in the negotiations of the first Kyoto treaty, is now responsible for negotiations on climate.

In spite of the worldwide recession, President Obama has moved plans on climate change forward, including incentives for vehicles that are efficient in fuel consumption and promising leadership from the US on climate matters.

In 2001, George Bush slighted the treaty on the grounds that it was too expensive for the American economy.

The Kyoto Treaty is hosted by Japan, which is remiss in complying with it own commitments.

Japan will describe, this week, six alternatives for medium term emission cutting commitment, from 5% upwards to 25% downwards from 1990 figures, by 2020.

Taro Aso, Prime Minister of Japan, will be viewed as being behind in the UN talks, for not getting Japan moving towards an economic boost from environmental measures, said Kim Carstensen of Global Climate Initiative.

Every country should be more proactive in creating revenue opportunities said De Boer of the UN.

Greater carbon trading could finance co-operation globally.

No Minister of Finance will find it easy to come cap in hand asking for financial assistance in fighting global warming, he added.

The Kyoto Treaty permits companies and countries to purchase carbon credits from those that have made reductions in emissions, stimulating action to combat climate change.