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McCain's climate change plan
13/05/2008 07:21 - (SA)
Washington - Republican White House candidate John McCain on Monday tacked sharply away from President George W Bush on climate change, saying he will not "shirk" from the need for US global leadership.
The Arizona senator proposed a cap-and-trade system designed to cut greenhouse gas emissions, in remarks which clearly separate him from the scepticism on global warming which has marked Bush's presidency.
The initiative will also signal that McCain plans to challenge the Democrats for independent voters in the November presidential election, targeting especially the climate change stance of leading Democratic candidate Barack Obama.
"I will not shirk the mantle of leadership that the US bears," McCain said in a speech in the western state of Oregon.
"I will not permit eight long years to pass without serious action on serious challenges," he said, in a clear rebuke to the Bush administration.
US to lead a different approach
McCain also pledges to play a lead role in negotiations for an agreement to come into force after the Kyoto Protocol on emissions cuts, which the US refused to ratify, expires in 2012.
"I will not accept the same dead-end of failed diplomacy that claimed Kyoto," McCain was to say.
"The US will lead with a different approach - an approach that speaks to the interests and obligations of every nation."
McCain's proposed a cap-and-trade system allows companies to sell unused greenhouse gas emission credits to other firms which have exceeded their quota.
His plan seeks to return emissions to 2005 levels by 2012, and a return to 1990 levels by 2020. It foresees a reduction of 60% below 1990 levels by 2050.
Combat climate change
McCain's stance on climate change sets him apart from a large chunk of his party's conservative base, which remains sceptical about the science on climate change.
Bush last month laid out a blueprint to curtail US greenhouse gas emissions from 2025, but critics said it would do little to combat climate change.
The president did not detail any mandates to bring down industrial emissions, and warned Congress against passing new legislation that might "impose tremendous costs on our economy and American families".
Bush also objects to Kyoto because it did not apply binding greenhouse gas targets on fast-growing China and India.
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