With U.S. on Board, Environmental Plan Approved

BALI, Indonesia, Dec. 15, 2007 -- After two weeks of intense negotiations, the Bali Roadmap was adopted today by delegates from nearly 190 countries. The closing day, filled with high emotion, resulted in an agreement to start negotiations for a new international climate treaty.

The pact was solidified when the United States reversed its position after hearing strong and pointed comments from other nations on the floor.

"And in fact, in this the United States is very committed to this effort and just want to really ensure that we all will act together," U.S. delegation head Paula Dobriansky said. "So with that, Mr. Chairman, let me say to you that we will go forward and join consensus in this today."

The White House today also issued a statement saying, "There are many features of the decision that are quite positive, including those provisions recognizing the importance of developing clean technologies, financing the deployment of those technologies in the developing world, assisting countries in adapting to climate change, exploring industry sector agreements on emissions, and addressing deforestation."

The statement went on to say that "the United States does have serious concerns about other aspects of the Decision as we begin the negotiations," referring to differentiating responsibilities among developed and developing countries.

Which country should be responsible for what regarding the environment is and will continue to be the core debate for future agreements.

"The politics of global warming have completely changed in America," David Doniger, climate policy director for the Natural Resources Defense Council said in a statement. "States, cities, the business community, and the U.S. Congress are moving forward, making real progress towards a new climate treaty possible under the next president."

In Bali, negotiations took longer than expected because critical issues regarding both climate change and economic policy were at stake. The key point over the last week was whether developed countries would agree to specific targets --