Copenhagen Countdown: Obama Heading to Climate Talks Armed with U.S. Emissions Target

The hand-wringing and speculation over whether President Obama will attend international climate talks next month can finally be laid to rest. The White House made it official this morning and announced Obama would in fact be heading to Copenhagen to participate in the United Nations Climate Change Conference.

Even if people view this as a symbolic step, they’d have to agree that it’s a mighty big one. Obama’s presence does not promise a sudden solution to the world’s problems.

Afterall, major obstacles still stand in the way of a global treaty to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Much of the debate falls on two central questions (hurdles): How much money should rich developed countries like those in the EU and the U.S. contribute to help pay for reduced emissions? And what greenhouse gas emissions cuts should developing nations like China and India commit to?

And Obama’s attendance in Copenhagen will be brief. The president is expected to be there Dec. 9 – just one day in the two-week international negotiations. Expect rhetoric from Obama, not a lot of heavy lifting, as FT’s Energy Source noted today.

Obama’s visit to Copenhagen – albeit a short one – is still important, even crucial to the overall talks. For one, his decision to attend the climate talks sends an important signal to the rest of the world: the U.S. is on the bus.

And he’s not going empty-handed. The White House also announced Obama is prepared to offer a U.S. emissions reduction target in the range of 17 percent below 2005 levels in 2020 and ultimately in line with the final U.S. energy and climate legislation, according to a White House statement released Wednesday. The offer would materialize within an overall deal in Copenhagen that includes “robust mitigation contributions from China and the other emerging economies.”

A variety of cabinet members and other government officials will travel to Copenhagen as well — the first time a U.S. delegation will have a U.S. Center at the conference, according to the White House. Interior Secretary Ken Salazar, Environmental Protection Agency administrator Lisa P. Jackson and Energy Secretary Steven Chu will speak during the conference.

Obama also is working other angles in the lead up to the climate talks. The president and India’s Prime Minister Manmohan Singh launched Tuesday, what they’re calling, a “green partnership,” as a reaffirmation of the two countries commitment to combating climate change and ensuring mutual energy security.

Vague language aside, there are some interesting measures contained within the green partnership including the formation of a joint research center on clean energy and increased cooperation on unconventional natural gas.

The two leaders also agreed that developed countries will adopt specific emissions reduction targets, while developing nations like India and China should take “nationally appropriate mitigation” action.