Legally Binding Climate Deal Not Likely Anytime Soon, U.S. Says - Bloomberg

A legally binding accord to combat climate change isn’t likely soon, though nations can take steps to curb global greenhouse-gas emissions, U.S. negotiator Todd Stern said today.
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“While there may be some kind of legal treaty down the road, that’s not happening, I think, anytime soon,” Stern said.

April 2009: Obama pledges US lead on climate change

PRAGUE (AFP) — President Barack Obama said Sunday the United States was ready to take the lead in tackling climate change, as EU leaders pushed him to follow their ambitious targets to combat global warming.