United States participation in future climate agreements: An assessment

Abstract

The report identifies the major obstacles to U.S. participation in an international treaty to control greenhouse gas emissions, and suggests some possible strategies for reengaging the United States. It proceeds as follows: Section one outlines the U.S. climate policy process up to the present. Section two describes four major barriers to U.S. participation in binding international agreements to mitigate anthropogenic climate change. Section three proposes some elements of a short-term strategy for European governments in dealing with the United States in the field of climate policy.