"Obama Negotiates 'Copenhagen Accord' With Senate Climate Fight in Mind"

"COPENHAGEN -- President Obama may have improved his chances for passing global warming legislation in the Senate by forging an interim international agreement here that puts both rich and poor countries on a path to curtail greenhouse gas emissions. ...

While much work still needs to be done before the interim Copenhagen Accord (pdf) becomes a legally binding treaty, it won some early praise from some who are key to moving a climate bill through the Senate.

'Home run,' said Mark Helmke, a top staffer to Sen. Richard Lugar (R-Ind.), the ranking member of the Foreign Relations Committee. 'Satisfied the Europeans. Made China into a major world player, but made them accountable. Elevated India, Brazil and South Africa to world stage. Cut an important side deal with Russians on arms control.'

Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska), added, 'Whenever you have developing countries, and certainly China and India stepping forward and indicating that they have a willingness to be a participant, I think that's a strong indicator that we'll have opportunities to be working and I think that that is progress.'"

Darren Samuelsohn reports for ClimateWire December 21, 2009.

See Also:

"Climate Accord In Hand, Obama Turns To Senate" (NPR)

"U.S. Cap and Trade Looks Out of Reach in 2010" (Reuters)

"Nonbinding Climate Deal May Aid Senate Bill" (CQ Politics)