U.S. Climate Change Policy

The United States is pleased to participate in the twelfth Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change, and we congratulate the Government of Kenya and the UN Environment Programme for their gracious hospitality in hosting this meeting.

I would like to begin my remarks by focusing on some of the principles that guide United States climate change

policy. This overview is useful to keep in mind when reviewing the broad range of climate and clean energy initiatives led by the United States in partnership with others.

First, the United States is committed to addressing the serious global challenge of climate change. Since 2001, the U.S. Government has committed nearly $29 billion for climate change related activities. This year alone, we will spend more than $3.9 billion to advance practical climate change technologies. And, the President's 2007 Budget for climate change includes an additional $6.5 billion -- an increase of 12 percent over the current budget.

Second, we believe that the most effective way forward is to place the complex issue of climate change into the broader context of sustainable development. Our world faces many complex challenges and as we look for strategies to limit greenhouse gas emissions, we must act in ways that also encourage economic growth, advance energy security, reduce poverty, and provide people the health, education and other social structures that are fundamental to the fabric of human life.

Third, United States climate change policy is guided by the belief that multiple solutions are best when grappling with complicated problems. Rather than one plan, we are pursuing many strategies that recognize both the breadth of the issues at hand and the long term nature of the challenge.

Fourth, I would underscore the critical role of science and technology in addressing climate change. These are tools that will enable us to marshal our resources in a strategic way. Future steps to address climate change depend upon advances in science and technology.

Finally, we believe in the power of partnerships. Addressing climate change requires a partnership among all nations. To contribute to the goals of the Framework Convention on Climate Change, the United States is building partnerships with nations that have common goals and we are reaching out to establish public-private partnerships. We welcome industry to join with us in this effort; and indeed, the assets of the private sector are essential to our success. This challenge calls for active participation by all sectors of our society.

The Asia-Pacific Partnership on Clean Development and Climate is an innovative new effort to accelerate the development and deployment of clean energy technologies. This partnership of six countries includes Australia , China , India , Japan , the Republic of Korea , and the United States , and accounts for about half of the world's population and more than half of the world's economy and energy use. I would like to add that the nearly 100 projects underway through this important U.S. initiative are detailed in eight fact sheets available at www.state.gov/app .

In Nairobi , the United States is pleased to contribute to the Dialogue on Long-term Cooperative Action that is taking place this week under the Convention. Last year in Montreal , nations recognized that there are diverse approaches that can contribute to addressing climate challenge. At COP-12, my delegation is highlighting the many actions the U.S. is taking to contribute to our collective efforts under the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change.

In addition, adaptation is an important topic and one that all countries care about. We see the potential to make much progress in the field of adaptation through the decisions we are taking here and through the activities we are sponsoring around the world. In Africa , U.S.-sponsored activities span from improving observations to enhancing the resilience of local farmers to climate risks.

These capacity-enhancing initiatives have been addressed in greater detail in our side event earlier but we are very proud of our activities in support of the Global Earth Observing System of Systems and our innovative foreign assistance efforts.

With these comments, I would now like to invite your questions.