President Bush’s speech announcing a new national goal to stop the growth in U.S. greenhouse gas emissions by 2025 received mixed reactions from U.S. Congressional leaders. The quotes below provide excerpts of international reactions to the President’s announcement.

Andrej Kranjc, Slovenian Undersecretary For Environment And Spatial Planning, Speaking For EU: “We expected more from the American president’s statement … The goal needs to be more ambitious. … We hope for improvement in the target announced yesterday.” (Francois de Beaupuy and Alex Morales, “EU `Expected More’ From U.S. on Climate, Slovenia’s Kranjc Says,” Bloomberg News, 4/18/08)

German Environment Minister Sigmar Gabriel: “[Bush is] lagging hopelessly behind the problems with his proposals … [his speech] does not do justice to the global challenge. His speech follows the motto: ‘losership instead of leadership,’ … We are glad that there are other voices in the U.S.A.” (”US official says German minister’s criticism of Bush climate speech unwarranted,” The Associated Press, 4/18/08)

Yvo De Boer, Executive Secretary Of The U.N. Framework Convention On Climate Change: “It’s not clear how the Bush plan would fit in with the goals set out by scientists … But for now, it’s good there is a proposal on the table from the U.S. Let’s see where this goes.” (Leila Abboud, “U.S. Climate Plan Is Panned,” The Wall Street Journal, 4/18/08)

South African Environment and Tourism Minister Marthinus van Schalkwyk: “South Africa blasted Mr Bush’s proposal as a disastrous retreat by the planet’s number-one polluter and a slap to poor countries. … ‘There is no way whatsoever that we can agree to what the US is proposing,’ South African Environment and Tourism Minister Marthinus van Schalkwyk said, describing the Bush administration as ‘isolated.’” (”US climate change plan ‘disastrous and Neanderthal’,” ABC Premium News, 4/18/08)

Chinese delegate Su Wei: “[Bush’s proposal was] not enough.” (Leila Abboud, “U.S. Climate Plan Is Panned,” The Wall Street Journal, 4/18/08)

EU Environment commissioner Stavros Dimas: “EU Environment commissioner Stavros Dimas warned that the proposals, which would see the United States halt growth in emissions - but not cut them - by 2025, ‘will not contribute to the fight against climate change,” according to AFP. ‘Time is running out and we have the duty to reach an agreement in Copenhagen in 2009,’ he added, suggesting the Americans reconsider their position.” (Leigh Phillips, “EU lukewarm on Bush climate plan,” EUObserver.com, 4/18/08)

EU Environment Commission Spokesperson: “This does not match with the level of ambition needed on the part of developed countries, considering their responsibilities in the challenge we face … We welcome the fact that President Bush last night recognised the need for federal legislation of a legally binding nature to address greenhouse gas emissions in the United States and for the first time made a reference to cap and trade … The commission hopes that the US will reflect further on the level of ambition this represents, and notably in only stopping the growth of US emissions by 2025.” (Leigh Phillips, “EU lukewarm on Bush climate plan,” EUObserver.com, 4/18/08)

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