Danish Prime Minister Visits Bush Ranch, Pushes for Global Pact on Climate Change

Danish Prime Minster Anders Fogh Rasmussen, listening to President Bush, wants the U.S. to take a greater role in reducing greenhouse gas emissions. (By Haraz N. Ghanbari -- Associated Press)

"We appreciate the president's initiative," said Rasmussen, though he made clear his view that "a new global deal should take place within the framework of the United Nations."

While many environmentalists in the United States have resigned themselves to waiting for a new administration before getting any climate change legislation adopted, Rasmussen said that international negotiators cannot afford to wait.

He said he wants to achieve agreement on several key items this year, while the Bush administration is still in office. Most important: He wants the administration to agree to a target for emissions reduction. The European Union has set a goal of reducing worldwide emissions by 60 percent below the 1990 baseline by 2050. Assuming that developing countries cannot meet that target, the European Union expects industrialized nations to cut emissions by 80 percent by 2050. Japan has set a target of 50 percent.

"We cannot wait for a new administration," he said, noting that it will take time to prepare a treaty and system to reduce carbon emissions. He also alluded to the fact that Sens. Barack Obama (D-Ill.), Hillary Rodham Clinton (D-N.Y.) and John McCain (R-Ariz.) are committed to more aggressive U.S. actions to address the issue.

"We follow the election campaign closely," Rasmussen said. "There is a consensus among the remaining three running candidates that the United States should involve itself stronger in the climate change process. I think we can build on this."

Mufson reported from Washington.