At this December's United Nations conference on climate change in Copenhagen, proponents of the Kyoto Protocol - which is expiring in 2012 - will be working on a new international agreement for lowering carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gas emissions in order to address global warming in the decades ahead.

The United States did not ratify the Kyoto Protocol, and for good reason since its provisions would have been costly while having virtually no impact on world temperatures. Nonetheless, many in the international community aspire to finalize stringent new post-2012 provisions at Copenhagen, or at least initiate the process that would lead to such measures. They have also expressed optimism that the Obama administration would join in such an agreement. However, the U.S. should follow existing policy put forth in the 1997 Byrd-Hagel Resolution and not enter into any global warming treaty that leaves out major developing nations or harms the American economy.

Fact Sheet: Copenhagen Consequences: What You Need To Know

Heritage Research

November 17, 2009
What Americans Need to Know About the Copenhagen Global Warming Conference
By Ben Lieberman
(Special Report #71)
In December, the 15th Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change will meet in Copenhagen to work on a ...

November 17, 2009
The "Kyoto II" Climate Change Treaty: Implications for American Sovereignty
By Steven Groves
(Special Report #72)
The Copenhagen conference's proposed "Kyoto II" successor agreement poses a clear threat to American sovereignty.

November 12, 2009
Copenhagen and Beyond: Is There a Successor to the Kyoto Protocol?
By Steve Groves
(Testimony )
As the United Nations Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen approaches, the United States must determine the definition and limits of American leadership within the context ...

November 10, 2009
Copenhagen Climate Change Conference Could Threaten National Security
By James Jay Carafano, Ph.D.
(Special Report #70)
According to Senator Boxer, passage of a cap-and-trade bill is a matter of national security. She is wrong.

November 3, 2009
Senate's Byrd-Hagel Resolution Should Guide Global Warming Discussion in Copenhagen
By Ben Lieberman
(Special Report #69)
The Administration should follow the Byrd-Hagel Resolution in Copenhagen and steer clear of any agreement that violates its provisions.

November 2, 2009
Ten Things about China and Climate Change
By Derek Scissors, Ph.D.
(Special Report #68)
With Copenhagen conference looming, the U.S. must be realistic about carbon emissions and China.

October 28, 2009
National Security: Not a Good Argument for Global Warming Legislation
By James Jay Carafano, Ph. D.
(Testimony )
The Clean Energy Jobs and America Power Act (S. 1733) has engendered tremendous controversy. Concerns abound about the legislation's adverse economic consequences, and there is ...

December 11, 2008
Poznan Conference: America Should Take Notice as Europe Backs Away from Costly Global Warming Measures
By Ben Lieberman
(WebMemo #2168)
A global warming conference is currently underway in Poznan, Poland, with representatives from 190 countries debating a new treaty to succeed the 1997 Kyoto Protocol. ...

November 17, 2000
Road to Hague: A Desperate Effort To Salvage A Flawed Climate Change Treaty
By Angela Antonelli
(Backgrounder #1401)
The global environment would be better served if the United States turned away from the global command-and-control regulatory approach reflected in the Protocol toward a ...

September 17, 1999
Squandering the Surplus: $11 Billion on the Unratified Kyoto Protocol
By Gregg VanHelmond
(Backgrounder #1322)
The Administration's many climate change programs, if fully funded, will account for almost $11 billion in spending from FY 1998 through FY 2000.

November 23, 1998
Why the Kyoto Signing Signals Disregard For Congress
By Angela Antonelli and Brett D. Schaefer
(Executive Memorandum #559)
Why the Kyoto Signing Signals Disregard for Congress

October 23, 1998
The Department of Energy's Report On the Impact of Kyoto: More Bad News For Americans
By Alexander F. Annett
(Backgrounder #1229)
The Department of Energy's Report On the Impact of Kyoto: More Bad News For Americans

October 6, 1997
The Road to Kyoto: How the Global Climate Treaty Fosters Economic Impoverishment and Endangers U.S. Security
By Angela Antonelli, Brett D. Schaefer, and Alex Annett
(Backgrounder #1143)
How the Global Climate Treaty Fosters Economic Impoverishment and Endangers U.S. Security

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