[Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George H. W. Bush (1992, Book I)]
[June 12, 1992]
[Page 926]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]



Statement on Signing the Framework Convention on Climate Change

June 12, 1992
    I have today signed the Framework Convention on Climate Change on 
behalf of the United States of America. This landmark agreement is a 
major step forward by the international community in taking action to 
address global climate change. It requires countries to formulate, 
implement, and publish national programs for mitigating climate change 
by limiting net emissions of greenhouse gases.
    The Framework Convention is comprehensive, covering all sources and 
sinks of greenhouse gases. It provides the flexibility for national 
programs to be reviewed and updated as new scientific information 
becomes available. These are important and desirable features.
    The United States already has been working to develop plans that are 
responsive to the requirements of the convention. In February of 1991, 
and again in the spring of this year, my administration published a 
detailed program of specific measures that the United States was 
prepared to undertake to address climate change. The administration also 
provided detailed estimates of the emissions effects of these measures. 
The U.S. plan stresses energy efficiency, cleaner air, new technology, 
and reforestation. It is estimated that our plan will reduce annual net 
greenhouse gas emissions by 125 to 200 million tons below projected 
levels in the year 2000.
    Many of the items contained in the U.S. action agenda are already 
being implemented. Some were contained in the Clean Air Act of 1990. 
Some energy efficiency measures, such as EPA's Green Lights program, are 
being pursued under existing authority. Others, such as elements of the 
national energy strategy, have been proposed by the administration and 
are awaiting final action by the U.S. Congress.
    No effort to address climate change can be successful without the 
participation of the developing countries. We have pledged support for 
country studies, for the Global Environmental Facility, and for various 
other programs to help these countries begin the process of developing 
action programs.
    I have today invited the other industrialized nations who have 
signed the Framework Convention to join me in a prompt start on its 
implementation. I have proposed that our countries meet by January 1st 
to present and review our national action plans. We look forward to 
cooperating with the other developed nations in this regard and to 
seeing what specific measures they propose to undertake.