US Climate Policy: Evolution and Future Leadership?

The US was a leader early on in international environmental politics. The US still has an impressive record in some areas, but the picture is varied and overall the trend is negative, particularly under the present administration. However, it is difficult * and sometimes meaningless * to label the US as one actor. This is clearly demonstrated in US climate policy. US scientists played a key role in discovering and conveying the problem * assisted by green activist groups. But Bush Sr. was perceived my most observers as a laggard. The Clinton administration was quite progressive and was at least partly a leader in Kyoto. However, Congress blocked his ambitions both domestically and internationally. Bush Jr. has rejected the Kyoto Protocol, and is perceived as laggard. However, there is a growing concern that the KP may not be the way forward as it in terms of commitments is a $B!G(Bmini-regime$B!G(B. The US led Asia Pacific Partnership, focussing on technology, has attracted participation from the two leading developing countries, China and India. All the way the US has argued for a $B!G(Bbottom-up$B!G(B approach, and this now happens as a number of cities and states, most notably California, are taking action. In sum, few would argue that the US is a leader, but due to the uncertainty of the faith of the KP as well as of the new Partnership and US domestic action, one should not draw too hasty conclusions about the future role of the US. ..PAT.-Unpublished Manuscript [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]