In Honolulu last week, the United States hosted 16 of the world's major economies plus the United Nations at the second Major Economies Meeting on Energy Security and Climate Change. Through the participation of the European Union, Malta contributed to the discussion on how to reduce greenhouse gas emissions through the use of clean energy technologies while maintaining energy security and supporting economic growth.
This meeting, a continuation of the Major Economies Process, advanced discussions that began at the inaugural meeting in Washington last September to develop a new post-2012 energy security and climate change framework.
President George W. Bush initiated the Major Economies Process last year with the leaders of all the largest energy users, including both developed and developing nations, to help establish an international agreement by 2009 under the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).
The participants are the direct representatives of the leaders of the world's major economies, meaning that the leaders themselves closely follow the issues discussed.
Representatives noted that the major economies meetings can help in the successful implementation of the Bali Action Plan that was made by global consensus a few weeks ago at the 13th UNFCCC Conference of the Parties in Indonesia. The plan recognises that "deep cuts in global emissions will be required", and is a critical first step in moving UN negotiations toward a comprehensive and effective post-Kyoto arrangement by 2009.
Representatives identified areas of co-operation where the major economies process could contribute to the UN negotiations, taking into account common, but varied, responsibilities and respective capabilities of the participating nations.
The major economies process contributes to existing national, bilateral and international programmes by reaffirming the US' commitment to work with major economies and through the UN to complete an international agreement that will reduce and eventually reverse the growth of greenhouse gases. It also reinforces President Bush's firm commitment to taking action on climate change, consistent with economic development objectives both at home and abroad.Since 2001, the US has funded $37 billion - more than any other country - towards a comprehensive national climate plan.
This strategy is already yielding results. In 2006, the Energy Information Administration estimated that US absolute emissions declined 1.3 per cent, while the economy grew 2.9 per cent. Preliminary estimates indicate that these programmes should cumulatively reduce projected greenhouse gas emissions by an estimated six billion metric tons by 2030.
To support the adoption of existing clean technologies and the development of new ones, the US has expanded investment in global research and development and has, jointly with the EU, proposed to the World Trade Organisation the elimination of tariffs and non-tariff barriers for clean energy goods and services.
President Bush has long called for action by all sectors of the economy and all levels of government to join in the effort to reduce emissions.
Here in Malta, the US Embassy reflects our commitment to the environment in significant ways. Earlier this year, the Cleaner Technology Centre at the University of Malta awarded the Environmental Award for Industry 2007 to Maltese industries that made a significant contribution to environmental protection. The US Embassy was proud to be a partial sponsor of this worthy initiative.
The new embassy that we are building in Ta' Qali is designed to be a green facility. The property and surrounding area will be extensively landscaped with indigenous trees and plants to blend with the natural environment and to reflect both American and Maltese traditions.
Buildings will conform to the Leadership in Energy and Environment Design (LEED) Green Building Rating System and incorporate state-of-the-art strategies for sustainable site development, water savings, energy efficiency, and indoor environmental quality by using such features as special windows, sun deflection, and water catchment systems.
Through the Major Economies Process and other programmes, the US, together with our international partners, is committed to meeting the challenges of climate change without compromising energy security or economic growth.
Support of the collective effort to develop and negotiate a new post-2012 international energy security and climate change agreement by 2009 will ultimately benefit all nations. We look forward to the next Major Economies Meeting scheduled to take place this April in France.
Mrs Bordonaro is US Ambassador to Malta