Major Economies Process on Energy Security and Climate Change
The president delivered a speech at the first Major Economies Meeting about his goals for the future of energy security and climate change.
On May 31, 2007 President Bush announced a new initiative to develop and contribute to a post-Kyoto framework on energy security and climate change by the end of 2008. This effort contributes to existing national, bilateral, regional and international programs to address the long-term challenge of global climate change and reinforces President Bush's firm commitment to taking action on climate change at home and abroad.
The Administration continued to work with other countries in developing a new post-2012 energy security and climate change framework by 2009 by hosting the second meeting of the Major Economies on Energy Security and Climate Change in Honolulu, HI on January 30-31. The meeting was the first time leaders' representatives met since agreeing to a Bali Roadmap. Participants discussed how the Major Economies will support the Bali Action Plan.
Goals
The United States is focusing talks on the following elements:
- A long-term global goal for greenhouse gas reduction, consistent with economic development objectives;
- National plans that set mid-term goals to advance the global goal and use a variety of binding, market-based, and voluntary measures that are environmentally effective and measurable;
- Collaborative technology development and deployment strategies for key sectors, including lower carbon fossil power generation, transportation, land use, and near zero carbon energy (e.g., efficiency, nuclear, wind, and solar) — with international working groups on key sectors informing the development of national plans under the previous element;
- Financing for the adoption of existing clean technologies and the development of new clean technologies, as well as the elimination of tariffs and non-tariff barriers for clean energy goods and services.
- Improved measurement and accounting systems that can more effectively track progress; and
- Robust programs to address adaptation, forestry, and technology access for all UN member states.
See the Major Economies Process on Energy Security and Climate Change Web site for more information.
President George W. Bush
"...years from now our children are going to look back at the choices we make today, at this deciding moment: It will be a moment when we choose to expand prosperity instead of accepting stagnation; it will be a moment when we turn the tide against greenhouse gas emissions instead of allowing the problem to grow; it will be a moment when we rejected the predictions of despair and set a course of a more hopeful future."
Full Speech (PDF 53 KB)
Speeches
Below are transcripts from the president's May 31st announcement and the Major Economies Meetings.
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President Bush's May 31st Announcement
- President Bush Discusses a New International Framework on Energy Security and Climate Change During Remarks on the United States International Development Agenda (PDF 35 KB)
The First Major Economies Meeting (MEM)
- President George W. Bush (PDF 53 KB)
- Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice (PDF 36 KB)
- Council on Environmental Quality, James Connaughton (PDF 31 KB)
- Press Briefing: James Connaughton, Chairman, Council on Environmental Quality and Karen Harbert, Assistant Secretary for Policy and International Affairs, Department of Energy (PDF 52 KB)
- Chairman's Summary (PDF 33 KB)
- Closing Press Conference (PDF 52 KB)
Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice
"Instead, we must cut the Gordian Knot of fossil fuels, carbon emissions, and economic activity. This current system is no longer sustainable, and we must transcend it entirely through a revolution in energy technology."
Full Speech (PDF 36 KB)
The Second Major Economies Meeting (MEM2)
- Overview of the second Major Economies Meeting (PDF 22 KB) - Provided by the Council on Environmental Quality
- Opening Remarks by James Connaughton, President's Council on Environmental Quality (PDF 44 KB)
- Closing Press Conference (PDF 60 KB)
- What They're Saying: Key Quotes from the Major Economies Meetings (PDF 20 KB)
News
Press releases and news coverage of the president's May 31st announcement and the Major Economies Meetings.
- A New International Climate Change Framework (PDF 49 KB) - Fact sheet summarizing the president's May 31st announcement.
- President Bush Highlights Clean Energy Technologies to Address Climate Change at Major Economies Meeting - EERE Home Page News story covering the first Major Economies Meeting.
- Second Major Economies Meeting on Climate Change (PDF 23 KB) - Press release summarizing the second Major Economies Meeting.
- Toward a New Global Approach to Climate Change and Energy Security (PDF 69 KB) - Fact sheet summarizing the president's speech at the first Major Economies Meeting.
