U.S. Relations With the People's Republic of China (2008)

The White House

For Immediate Release
Office of the Press Secretary
July 9, 2008

Fact Sheet: The Major Economies Leaders Meeting

Making Progress Toward A Future International Climate Change Agreement

Today, 17 leaders of the Major Economies held an unprecedented summit in Toyako, Japan, to advance shared objectives of reducing greenhouse gas emissions, contribute to ongoing negotiations under the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), and identify actions to be taken immediately. Leaders of Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, the European Union, France, Germany, Indonesia, India, Italy, Japan, Mexico, Republic of Korea, Russia, South Africa, the United Kingdom, and the United States issued a Declaration that:

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Background

Since President Bush launched the Major Economies process in May 2007 there has been growing international agreement that, to be effective, a global framework will require commitments from all Major Economies -- both industrialized and emerging -- to take actions to reduce emissions. There is now broad acknowledgement that all Major Economies must contribute to solving the problem, recognizing that what steps each Major Economy takes will differ according to its national circumstances.

• Each of the Major Economies is developing and implementing national goals and plans to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. America's national plan is a comprehensive blend of mandates, incentives, public-private partnerships, and technology programs to reduce emissions by increased investment in clean and efficient energy technologies.

• Sectoral approaches can support national climate change efforts, as demonstrated by the Asia-Pacific Partnership on Clean Development and Climate (APP). The APP facilitates investment in clean technologies and accelerates the sharing of energy efficient practices among seven of the Major Economies in the region -- with a particular focus on China and India.

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