The US’s retreat from the Kyoto Protocol: an account of a policy change and its implications for future climate policy

Article abstract:

In March 2001, President George W. Bush announced that the United States had abandoned the ratification of the Kyoto Protocol. This paper describes the historical background as well as the political reasons and mechanisms behind the Bush administration's decision. Moreover, it deals with two alternative policy proposals, which have emerged at the US federal and state level since then. The paper then highlights some important differences between EU and US climate change policies. The most important difference is that the EU wants global warming mitigation and the US, if necessary at all, is emphasising the need to adapt to climate change. The paper concludes by suggesting that if a post-Kyoto treaty wants to bring the US back on board it will need to address this difference.

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