President Barack Obama's visit to China next month is not likely to yield a separate accord on countering global warming, though both countries are pushing for progress for upcoming global talks in Copenhagen, the top U.S. envoy on climate change said Wednesday."I don't think we're going to get an agreement per se," said Todd Stern, the U.S. special envoy for climate change. However, he said Obama will work with Chinese President Hu Jintao toward facilitating an agreement at the international meeting.Obama will make his first visit to China on Nov. 15-18.The chief Chinese and U.S. negotiators played down differences over their commitments on reducing the heat-trapping emissions that cause global warming.Stern defended U.S. progress on reducing emissions and promoting renewable energy, noting the $80 billion pledged for clean energy in the U.S. economic stimulus package.The Senate bill, however, is proving more difficult. On Tuesday, the Obama administration warned a Senate panel that the U.S. could slip further behind China and other countries in clean energy development if Congress fails to pass climate legislation.Stern was upbeat about the prospects for Copenhagen, though experts say tough challenges remain.Wealthy nations say all countries, including growing polluters such as China and India, have to agree to broad cuts in emissions. Last week, however, the two Asian countries agreed to stand together in Copenhagen and resist making emissions limits binding and subject to international monitoring.The countries attending included China, the U.S., Australia, Canada, India, Japan and South Korea.
President Barack Obama's visit to China next month is not likely to yield a separate accord on countering global warming, though both countries are pushing for progress for upcoming global talks in Copenhagen, the top U.S. envoy on climate change said Wednesday."I don't think we're going to get an agreement per se," said Todd Stern, the U.S. special envoy for climate change. However, he said Obama will work with Chinese President Hu Jintao toward facilitating an agreement at the international meeting.Obama will make his first visit to China on Nov. 15-18.The chief Chinese and U.S. negotiators played down differences over their commitments on reducing the heat-trapping emissions that cause global warming.Stern defended U.S. progress on reducing emissions and promoting renewable energy, noting the $80 billion pledged for clean energy in the U.S. economic stimulus package.The Senate bill, however, is proving more difficult. On Tuesday, the Obama administration warned a Senate panel that the U.S. could slip further behind China and other countries in clean energy development if Congress fails to pass climate legislation.Stern was upbeat about the prospects for Copenhagen, though experts say tough challenges remain.Wealthy nations say all countries, including growing polluters such as China and India, have to agree to broad cuts in emissions. Last week, however, the two Asian countries agreed to stand together in Copenhagen and resist making emissions limits binding and subject to international monitoring.The countries attending included China, the U.S., Australia, Canada, India, Japan and South Korea.
