The United States on Tuesday pledged to cut its greenhouse gas emissions up to 28 per cent as part of a global treaty aimed at preventing the worst effects of climate change, the White House said. The Obama administration’s contribution to the treaty, which world leaders expect to finalise in December, codifies a commitment President Barack Obama first made late last year in Beijing, when he announced a joint US-China climate deal that raised global hopes that developed and developing nations can come together to fight climate change.
The US proposal has drawn intense interest around the world. Most nations will miss today's informal deadline to convey their contributions to the UN, only the EU, Switzerland and Mexico unveiled their pledges before the US. By announcing its commitment early, the US hopes to dial up the political pressure on other countries to take equally ambitious steps to cut emissions.