NYC, Pittsburgh Negotiations Conclude, UN Talks Begin in Bangkok

Obama joined over 100 other world leaders at the United Nations in New York City last week, a meeting some say has brought new political energy to climate negotiations. President Obama addressed climate change during his first speech before the international body, recognized the urgency of climate change and said he looked forward to “engaging” with Senate committees as the U.S. climate legislation moves forward. On Thursday and Friday leaders met again at the G-20 Summit in Pittsburgh, where climate was largely overshadowed by economic concerns. The G20 communiqué produced no new language regarding financing for developing nations to cope with climate change, though it did make a new commitment to phase out fossil fuel subsidies.  The Prime Minister of Sweden, Fredrik Reinfeldt, suggested that G20 leaders might meet again in the coming weeks to help further the negotiations.

The road to Copenhagen now runs through Bangkok, where two weeks of negotiations began Monday. Jonathan Pershing, U.S. Deputy Envoy on Climate Change, says President Obama supports U.S. emissions reductions comparable to the EU and Japan, but wants legally binding commitments from other countries as well.  U.N. climate chief Yvo de Boer stated that the negotiations are behind schedule but remains optimistic that a deal will be reached in Copenhagen.