Climate Change

"China will not accept binding cuts in its greenhouse gas emissions, an official said Thursday, after the United States said it made progress with Beijing in talks here on a global climate pact."

"Japan, a major emitter of greenhouse gases and an important player in the global warming debate, announced Wednesday that by 2020 it intended to reduce emissions 15 percent from 2005 levels -- a goal immediately criticized as inadequate by environmentalists and industry officials."

The US and China opened talks June 8, 2009, in hopes of making a breakthrough on climate change -- but the question of who will shoulder major responsibility remains unresolved.

"Some of the world's largest airlines called on Tuesday for the industry to set global emissions targets as part of efforts to include aviation in a broader climate agreement at the end of the year."

"The House global warming bill slated for floor debate this summer is projected to trim the federal budget deficit over the next decade, the Congressional Budget Office states ...."

AFP profiles Yvo de Boer, executive secretary of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change.

An ambitious Chinese plan for a national smart grid could provide an opening for US-China technological cooperation.