New Report Shows Copenhagen Commitments Fall Short

by Ricardo Harvin

The U.S. Chamber's Institute for 21st Century Energy released "Copenhagen Accord By-the-Numbers" today, a report which reveals that, even if emissions reduction pledges made under the Copenhagen Accord were adopted, the world would still see a significant rise in greenhouse gas emissions, primarily because of growing emissions from developing countries.

The report analyzed all 2020 emissions reduction targets submitted by developed and developing nations to the Copenhagen Accord. Even if the targets submitted are adopted, global emissions in 2020 will still be above 2005 levels by as much as 20 percent.

Steve Eule, vice president for climate and technology at the Chamber's Institute for 21st Century Energy says,

"The road to an international climate agreement is a very difficult one, as evidenced by the challenges negotiators faced in Copenhagen. Looking ahead, with many of the most contentious issues in the climate negotiations unresolved, there's an opportunity to open up a new chapter that focuses less on unrealistic targets and timetables and more on cooperation among governments and the business community."