There’s a non-legally binding agreement out of Copenhager including, among other things, the Annex I Parties agreeing to reduce carbon emissions by “at least” 80 percent by 2050.
The problem is that none of it is legally binding and, instead, merely a framework for reaching something more permanent.
But this at least sounded encouraging:
U.S. negotiators also labored to distinguish themselves from George W. Bush’s administration, which did not submit the Kyoto Protocol to the Senate for ratification. In fact, U.S. officials added, the new administration is taking steps with or without Congress to reduce carbon emissions through new fuel standards and other measures. “They are saying, ‘Trust us that we can do better,’ ” said Brazil’s climate change ambassador, Sergio Serra, who attended the meeting with Clinton on Thursday.
Here’s the Copenhagen Accord document for your perusal.
UPDATE: This is really goddamn awesome:
The deal came after a dramatic moment in which Mr. Obama burst into a meeting of the Chinese, Indian and Brazilian leaders, according to senior administration officials. Chinese protocol officers protested, and Mr. Obama said he did not want them negotiating in secret.
The intrusion led to new talks that cemented key terms of the deal, American officials said.
