Obama and Hu aim to agree greenhouse gas targets

[Turborama]

Source: The Guardian

Statement by leaders of world's two biggest polluters could breathe new life into Copenhagen climate change talks

Jonathan Watts and Tania Branigan in Beijing

The US and China, the world's two biggest polluters, today said they aimed to set targets for easing greenhouse gas emissions next month, potentially breathing new life into the flagging Copenhagen climate negotiations.

Days after the US president, Barack Obama, said time to secure a legally binding agreement had run out, he and the Chinese president, Hu Jintao, agreed at a summit that they would continue to press for a comprehensive deal at Copenhagen that would "rally the world".

"Our aim there, in support of what the prime minister (Lars Løkke) Rasmussen of Denmark is trying to achieve, is not a partial accord or a political declaration, but rather an accord that covers all of the issues in the negotiations and one that has immediate operational effect," Obama said after holding talks with Hu in Beijing.

In a joint communique, the leaders said an accord in Denmark should include emission reduction targets for rich nations and a declaration of action plans to ease greenhouse gas emissions in developing countries.

Read more: http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2009/nov/17/barack-obama-hu-jintao-climate

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"immediate operational effect" - sounds like they might actually put some meat on the bones of this thing after all.

[tblue]

1. Obama and Hu? Lol! Sorry. Could not resist.

Seriously, this is so important. Thanks for posting.

[YvonneCa]

2. This is 'a big deal'...

...to quote Bill Clinton. :) I'm surprised it's not being covered more...or even discussed more here on DU.

On second thought...no, I'm not surprised. But it's still REALLY GOOD NEWS! :7

[Turborama]

3. I have to disagree

With your second thought. I was under the impression that DUers understood how big a deal Climate Change is.

I totally agree with the rest of your post, though. :hi:

[YvonneCa]

4. Maybe they missed the news...

...from China last night. It DID require pretty late hours. :7 :hi:

[Turborama]

5. This headline might have got everyone's attention....

But it's on a blog and I'm not sure if it can be posted on LBN as an original thread....

Massive New US-China Clean Energy Plans Announced: http://www.treehugger.com/files/2009/11/new-us-china-clean-energy-plans.php

:shrug: