US President Barack Obama will attend the UN climate conference in Copenhagen on December 9, the White House said Wednesday according to international news media.
During the president’s one-day stopover on his way to Oslo, where he will receive the Nobel Peace Prize on December 10, Obama is expected to announce a provisional US emissions reduction target of 17 percent from 2005 levels.
This target – the first ever of its kind from a US administration – is in line with pending US climate legislation.
The announcement of Obama’s brief visit to Copenhagen was welcomed by the UN and the Danish conference hosts.
UN climate chief Yvo de Boer told reporters in Bonn that Obama’s attendance was critical.
“The world is very much looking to the United States to come forward with an emission reduction target and contribute to financial support to help developing countries,” he said according to AFP. More at COP15
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