The first annual climate conference was recently held in Montreal and resulted in over 150 countries agreeing to hold formal talks to discuss mandatory reductions in greenhouse gases beyond 2012. The United States is unwilling to take part in such talks but did agree to enter exploratory dialogs on future steps that could be taken.

The meeting was the first to follow the implementation of the Kyoto Protocols that started in February 2005. Countries that signed the agreement have to meet certain emission reductions of greenhouse gases by 2012. Although President Clinton helped design the treaty, the U.S. Congress rejected the Kyoto Protocol in 1997, and the Bush administration continues to reject resubmitting the plan to congress. The Kyoto agreement requires member countries to cut back emission of six greenhouse gases to defined levels in 35 countries by 2012. The new agreement requires the 157 members to agree to deeper cuts after Kyoto expires.

“These countries are willing to take the leadership,” said Swiss delegate Bruno Oberle. “But they are not able to solve the problem. We need the support of the United States - but also of the big emerging countries,” referring to China, India and other large nations that have yet to join.

The six greenhouse gases are water vapor, CO₂, ozone, CH₄, N₂O, sulfur hexafluoride, and chlorofluorocarbons.