States tackle emissions

The preliminary deal contrasts with the Bush administration’s decision not to sign up to the Kyoto Protocol and will see carbon dioxide emissions from some 600 large power stations frozen at the average levels for 2000–2004 and then reduced by 10% from 2015 to 2020.

The states involved in the scheme include Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Rhode Island and Vermont. Pennsylvania and Maryland are still considering joining, while California, Oregon, Washington, New Mexico and Arizona are exploring similar agreements.

In late July, the US signed up to the ‘Asian initiative’. Announced by the US deputy secretary of state Robert Zoellick, this is a pact between the United States, Australia, China, India and South Korea to cut greenhouse gas emissions. However, it does not include any targets or a timetable for reducing emissions. It has also come in for criticism by some who claim it gives US and Australian companies selling renewable energy and carbon dioxide-cutting technologies access to markets in developing countries such as India and China. The National Energy Foundation has slammed it as being highly dangerous for tackling climate change.

According to the NEF, a change in behaviour, not technology, is the key to tackling climate change. “We need initiatives that result in action now at the individual,

community, business and country level, not the promise of technological breakthroughs in the future,” says Tim Lunel, chief executive of the foundation.