U.S. President Barack Obama says it is imperative that the United
States and European Union redouble efforts to reach a deal on climate
change ahead of next month's summit in Copenhagen.
The president spoke Tuesday at the White House, where he met with EU
leaders. EU officials have been in Washington to push members of
Congress to support a new global climate treaty to replace the Kyoto
Protocol.
Mr. Obama and congressional Democrats have pledged to support a new
treaty. However, Senate Republicans Tuesday boycotted a committee
debate on a bill to curb carbon gas emissions from large industrial
plants, casting doubt on the ability of Congress to pass legislation in
support of a new climate pact.
European Commission head Jose Manuel Barroso, who earlier Tuesday said
he was "worried" by the lack of progress, said he was more confident
after meeting with Mr. Obama.