US and China hinder post-Kyoto deal

The G8 Summit drew to a close in June, with no real global emissions
reductions set in place post-Kyoto, which comes to an end in 2012.

Germany was the host of this year’s Summit, with Chancellor Angela Merkel at
the helm. She tried to insist that all members reduce carbon emissions by as
much as 50% of their 1990 levels by 2050, and said that global warming should be
limited to 2 degrees celsius above the pre-industrial era. But, according to
Tony Blair, the US won’t sign an agreement unless China signs, and China won’t
agree to anything that is likely to impede its own economic growth.

One agreement that was reached by members was that all legally binding,
international commitments to climate change should only be made through the
United Nations framework. The US and China, as well as the emerging markets of
Mexico, Brazil, India and South Africa, also agreed that they would feel
obligated to the commitments if processed through the UN. Early adopting
countries include Canada, Japan and the EU, which have agreed to abide by the
50% cut immediately. “Now we need to work together to get as many countries as
possible across the world to undertake to do something,” Merkel said.

In addition, all members agreed to share technology on tackling climate
change with the developing world, particularly information on IT and energy
efficiency.

Blair said a post-Kyoto deal should be in place by 2009.

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