US China Climate Talks

On Tuesday, President Barack Obama announced during a speech in Beijing that he and President Hu Jintao of China agreed to take “significant action” to prevent climate change. The US is willing to offer specific emissions reduction targets at next month’s UN summit in Copenhagen if the Chinese government also offers a climate proposal. The news comes days after US government officials confirmed that Obama would not sign a legally binding treaty in Copenhagen. Obama said that Washington and Beijing are committed to pursuing renewable energy, cleaner coal, and electric vehicles. The speech aimed to restore confidence in the Copenhagen summit and acknowledged the importance of an all-encompassing, international agreement.