Comments Jake Schmidt has made

But, we need to evolve from the current CDM system if we are going to solve global warming.  CDM was the first step, but the second step needs to be bigger, better, and be modified to address the changing dynamics of which countries need to take action and under what designs.  That is why we need to Evolve from "Offsets" to Sectoral Approaches for Developing Countries.

This is the direction that the Waxman-Markey discussion draft heads and I believe it Provides the Tools to Get a Strong International Climate Agreement.  In particular, it provides these tools around the "evolution of the CDM" by designing international carbon market access rules to encourage unilateral actions from developing countries before they can sell credits into the US market.  And sectoral approaches for crediting is one key strategy that is spelled out.   

One more theme-start to tackle the key challenges

Dave,

Thanks for the great summary.  We completely agree that the US and China need to make progress and start to come together if we are going to get a strong agreement in Copenhagen.  That is why we put together our recommendations (you can read a summary here: http://switchboard.nrdc.org/blogs/jschmidt/reengaging_chi ...).

While our recommendations don't focus on going straight after emissions reduction commitments, we do highlight that it is crucial that the two start a serious dialouge on the key challenges that have arisen in the international negotiations.  In particular, a serious focus on fleshing out the details of a sectoral commitment for China--where they agree to cut emissions in key sectors of the economy--is a promising start to an emissions reduction commitment.

In addition, we also emphasize getting started quickly.  We don't have time to wait for these two key players to come together.

Jake Schmidt International Climate Policy Director Natural Resources Defense Council

Team in place and ready to negotiate

President Obama and Secretary Clinton are continuing to show that they are going to make addressing global warming a top priority as they are putting their team in place in record time.  Oh how refreshing a change from the last eight years of no leadership and no progress.  So now we have real leadership on this issue, let's hope that we can make real progress by Copenhagen.  (I discuss some of the hints of that change that Clinton and Todd Stern outlined here: http://switchboard.nrdc.org/blogs/jschmidt/us_climate_cha ...).

This team will have to get up to speed fast, start to reach out to other countries, and begin to flesh out the US positions as the pace of the negotiations are set to pick up speed following the meeting in Poznan, Poland this past December.  In just over 60 days, this team will be sitting with other countries at the negotiating table as the next international negotiations will be held the end of March in Bonn, Germany.

Jake Schmidt International Climate Policy Director Natural Resources Defense Council

Top Diplomat Moving on Climate Change

Her confirmation hearing provided some strong signals from our top diplomat that she and the new Administration are going to be seriously engaged in moving the international elements of solving global warming.  We need both a strong domestic push and international push.  

Senator Clinton's signal about the impact of global warming on other key State Department priorities is a strong signal of things to come.  I hope that she pushes forward aggressively in getting a strong international agreement on global warming in Copenhagen.  

There are continuing positive signs from developing countries as the South African Environment Minister was speaking in DC at the same time that Clinton was testifying.  He provided some strong hints of the willingness of South Africa and other emerging economies to contribute to global efforts.  I posted excerpts of his speech here: http://tinyurl.com/SA-climate.

Jake Schmidt International Climate Policy Director Natural Resources Defense Council

Here are some key messages he can convey...

This is a good signal that both Congress and the new Administration will be engaged in the international negotiations.  

Restoring America's leadership on global warming is no easy task. US leadership has been lost over a sustained period as the current Administration has failed to make progress on global warming. (Sadly this is time we don't have.) So, becoming a leader isn't something that can be done overnight, but it will need to start from day one. President-elect Obama's signal that he will Restore American Leadership on Global Warming is a positive step and now we need to help deliver concrete actions.

I've contributed recommendations from a coalition of groups -- including the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) -- on a detailed strategy for the new Administration and Congress on environmental issues. It contains some recommendations for the international climate negotiations that will need to be delivered by Sen. Kerry, the entire body of Congress, and President-elect Obama.  For more details on the recommendations for key elements of the international climate debate, see: http://switchboard.nrdc.org/blogs/jschmidt/actions_to_res ....

Jake Schmidt International Climate Policy Director Natural Resources Defense Council