Obama’s new carbon cutting plans ‘critical’ to UN climate talks
Last updated on 29 May 2014, 3:14 pm
Yvo de Boer says tough new legislation will send global message that US is serious about 2015 Paris deal
(Pic: White House/Flickr)
By Ed King
Barack Obama’s plan to slash carbon pollution from US power plants is a “critical moment” along the path towards a global greenhouse gas cutting deal, says the UN’s former chief climate official.
On Monday the US President is expected to outline how new laws will reduce carbon emissions from US coal-fired power plants by up to 20%.
Reports suggest these could be the toughest ever climate legislation proposed in the US, and will require Obama to use all of his executive powers to ensure they are enforced.
“I think it is a critical moment,” Yvo de Boer told RTCC. “In the run-up to Copenhagen there were hopes the Senate would pass laws on climate and energy – that failed.
“This I supposed is the Obama administration coming up for air and having a second go at this.”
Read the full article at RTCC