Obama victory raises hopes for US to take lead on climate change

Obama has pledged that a “green recovery” will be his number one priority when he gets into office and his administration had indicated that it will follow the UK lead and introduce a climate change bill and cut US greenhouse gas emissions by 80 per cent by 2050.

His manifesto commits to meeting the new emission targets through a US-wide carbon cap-and-trade scheme, a system already established in the EU.  

It also includes a £109 billion package to stimulate the US energy industries and create five million ‘green’ jobs.

Under his green recovery plans, Obama wants a quarter of US energy supply to come from renewable sources by 2025. This is to be backed up by £93 million worth of investment in clean technology research and development over the next 10 years.

He has also promised a number of tax credits for the US car industry and customers in a drive to get greener cars on the roads.

More immediately, Obama is to send his own energy representatives to the UN's climate change talks in Poznan, Poland, at the beginning of next month.

Environmental groups have reacted positively to Obama’s election.

“We look forward to working with the new President and his administration to implement the progressive environmental policies which he championed throughout his campaign,” said Carter Roberts, chief executive officer of WWF-US. “For too long, the world has looked to the US for leadership on the climate crisis, only to be met with shallow excuses and indifference. With today’s historic election, we are optimistic that those days are behind us.”

Friends of the Earth executive director Andy Atkins, said: “Hopefully, Mr Obama’s victory will give crucial international climate negotiations in Copenhagen next year a much greater chance of success – the United States must face up to its international responsibilities and show positive global leadership in low carbon economic development.”