Copenhagen Climate Talks

Copenhagen Materials

Copenhagen Question & Answer and More (PDF)

This document provides answers to many of the frequently asked questions regarding the Copenhagen United Nations climate change negotiations and other common issues that surface surrounding international climate discussions.

Staying Competitive in the Global Clean Energy Economy (PDF)

While the United States pioneered development of clean energy technologies, it is now in danger of falling behind in the emerging global competition for jobs, manufacturing and markets. To effectively compete in the 21st century, the United States must establish incentives and market security by passing comprehensive climate and energy policy.

U.S. Players (PDF)

Key U.S. Players in Domestic and International Global Warming Policy

International Leaders (PDF)

Key Players in International Global Warming Policy

Adaptation (PDF)

Background piece on the importance of adaptation measures and what to look for in Copenhagen.

International Provisions of U.S. Climate Change Legislation — ACES and CEJAP (PDF)

Why The American Clean Energy and Security Act (ACES) (H.R. 2454) and The Clean Energy Jobs and American Power Act (CEJAP) (S. 1733) matter for Copenhagen.

Climate Finance (PDF)

Conference negotiators will attempt to bridge differences on the scale of financial resources needed, how best to mobilize these funds and what institutional arrangements should be employed to manage the financing of responses to climate change.

Mitigation (PDF)

Mitigation matters will be at the center of the Copenhagen negotiations, and no country will be under greater scrutiny than the United States, which has yet to pass national climate change legislation that includes mid-term and long-term mitigation targets, although the President recently announced a 17 percent mid-term emission reduction target to be offered at Copenhagen.

Technology (PDF)

Nations now face the challenge of initiating the right policies, incentives and investments to ensure that low-carbon technologies and services are developed and deployed. Special attention must be given to helping developing countries "leapfrog" older technologies and adopt newer, less polluting ones and to continue on the path of low-carbon development in the future as new and more effective technologies emerge.

Status of the Copenhagen Climate Change Negotiations (PDF)

Congressional Research Service Report