UNCLASSIFIED U S International Environmental Policy What is U S pol icy • U S policy addresse international environmental concerns that impact on American values and interests Global environmental forces transcend borders and impact on the health and prosperity of U S citizens Regionally and locally environmental degradation can contribute to political and economic instability • Secretary Christopher launched a 1996 intiative to integrate environmental diplomacy into American foreign policy What is the U S doing • Globally The U S leads key environmental negotiations i e • • clirnate'change forests toxic chemicals The Administration created a plan to reduce greenhouse gases by 2000 has signed the Biodiversity Treaty enhanced international fisheries and oceans policies and strengthened controls on ozone depleting substances Envirnomental issues will be prominant at this year's G-7 P-8 Summit in Denver Regionally Regional bureaus· have strengthened capability for addressing environmental concerns in key regions Hubs to advance regional environmental cooperation are being established in 12 embassies six in FY97 six in FY'98 Bilaterally We are developing environmental pa tnerships with key countries China Brazil India Japan EU What's Next 1997 is the most important environmental year since Rio in 1992 • • • • Difficult climate change negotiations on emissions targets for post-2000 will conclude in Kyoto next December We will again encourage ratification of the Biodiversity Treaty and the Law of the Sea In June an UNGA Special Session at Head of State level will assess Rio follow-up at the five-year mark We will pursue legislation implementing our agreement to lift an embargo on tuna imports in exchange for dolphin protection measures by Latin nations Potential Pitfalls • • • Senator Helms is skeptical of international environmental concerns and opposes most agreements to address them He adamantly opposed the Biodiversity Treaty and turned down Senator Pell's appeals on behalf of the Law of the Sea The Climate Change issue is highly charged and has significant domestic implications i e for energy policy and elicits deep concern from industry and certain members of Congress The California delegation especially Senator Boxer is adamantly opposed to Tuna- olphin implementing legislation The environmental community is acrimoniously split Passage·of this legislation is a high priority for Mexico UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF STATE REVIEW AUTHORITY DONALD A JOHNSTON DATE CASE ID 11 AUG 2004 200402158 UNCLASSIFIED UNCLASSIFIED Drafted OES RPI JMargolis SEOESRPI 605 12 16 96 Cleared OES EClaussen OES RPI SHorsey-Barr G AJoyce S P Mionata Subs - ------ UNCLASSIFIED