The United States Proposal for an International CO₂ Emissions Trading System

Abstract

This paper will represent the U.S. government approach to climate change, and specifically, the U.S. draft protocol to guide green-house gas emissions reduction efforts in the post-2000 period. Before proceeding to the particulars of the U.S. proposal, however, this proposal will be placed into its proper political context. The entire U.S. proposal for a climate change protocol covers a mere thirteen sheets of paper, but is the balanced product of intense inter-Agency negotiation, of consultations with industry, environmental experts, non-governmental organizations and elected officials. These entities represent a wide range of views on climate change, from those who question the very existence of global warming, to those who favor radical reduction programs to address the problem.

Reflects the position of July 25, 1997