George W. Bush's position on

Kyoto Protocol: Based on 1990 emission statistics, the Kyoto Protocol was created as a global effort to reduce greenhouse gases and carbon dioxide as a means to limit the Greenhouse effect. The goal of reduction of 5.2% was implemented. The time frame for this reduction to occur is between 2008 and 2012. The United States participated in signing the directive, but the United States Congress has yet to ratify it for fear of an economic slump.

Candidate's Position: George W. Bush surprised the international community by pulling US support from the Kyoto Protocol, saying that the main reason for his refusal to participate was that he was concerned about US job loss and the protocol's inability to hold China to international standards set forth therein. He also stated that part of his concern was based on a Department of Energy Report that said that capping carbon dioxide emissions would lead to higher electricity prices for the average consumers.

Quotation from the Candidate: "I support a comprehensive and balanced national energy policy that takes into account the importance of improving air quality. Consistent with this balanced approach, I intend to work with the Congress on a multipollutant strategy to require power plants to reduce emissions of sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxides, and mercury. Any such strategy would include phasing in reductions over a reasonable period of time, providing regulatory certainty, and offering market-based incentives to help industry meet the targets. I do not believe, however, that the government should impose on power plants mandatory emissions reductions for carbon dioxide, which is not a "pollutant" under the Clean Air Act." (Letter from the President to various Senators, 2001 

Assessment of the Proposal: 

Positive: The National Center for Policy Analysis said "eco-economists" in academia approved Bush's policy on removing the US from the Kyoto protocol. They say that by adopting the accord, "it would force the U.S. to pay a sudden and hefty price to reduce greenhouse gases." (NCPA, 2001) They also criticized the Kyoto deadlines of 2008 and 2012 as being too short not to incur the economic backlash described by the President.

Negative: While there has been substantial backlash against the President for his views on the protocol, it has not remained simply an environmental issue, but has turned into a foreign policy issue with countries such as Canada, Sweden and Britain voicing opposition to the stance of the administration. "We regret that President Bush continues to reject the Kyoto Protocol," Swedish Environment Minister Kjell Larsson said in a written statement on behalf of the European Union today. "Abandoning the Kyoto Protocol would mean postponing international action to combat climate change for years … We cannot accept this." (as reported by ABC news, 2001)

Comparison: John Kerry voted against the protocol as a member of the senate but has said that he would "…reopen the negotiation process, fix the flaws and move forward" (Grist Magazine, 2003), giving hope to environmentalist groups that some kind of international emissions directive will be enacted in the Kerry presidency.

Link to Kerry's issue brief