"COPENHAGEN -- President Obama may have improved his chances for passing global warming legislation in the Senate by forging an interim international agreement here that puts both rich and poor countries on a path to curtail greenhouse gas emissions. ...
While much work still needs to be done before the interim Copenhagen Accord (pdf) becomes a legally binding treaty, it won some early praise from some who are key to moving a climate bill through the Senate.
'Home run,' said Mark Helmke, a top staffer to Sen. Richard Lugar (R-Ind.), the ranking member of the Foreign Relations Committee. 'Satisfied the Europeans. Made China into a major world player, but made them accountable. Elevated India, Brazil and South Africa to world stage. Cut an important side deal with Russians on arms control.'
Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska), added, 'Whenever you have developing countries, and certainly China and India stepping forward and indicating that they have a willingness to be a participant, I think that's a strong indicator that we'll have opportunities to be working and I think that that is progress.'"
Darren Samuelsohn reports for ClimateWire December 21, 2009.
See Also:
"Climate Accord In Hand, Obama Turns To Senate" (NPR)
"U.S. Cap and Trade Looks Out of Reach in 2010" (Reuters)
"Nonbinding Climate Deal May Aid Senate Bill" (CQ Politics)
"Obama Negotiates 'Copenhagen Accord' With Senate Climate Fight in Mind"
Source: ClimateWire, 12/22/2009