The U.S. pledged in a 1992 treaty signed in Rio de Janiero to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions to 1990 levels by 2000. Economic and environmental advisers have reportedly been battling it out in the White House over the topic, the economic side arguing that it would cost too much to reduce emissions anytime soon, and the environmental side arguing that it's foolhardy not to. The options have been worked up in preparation for a round of talks on the next global climate treaty, which kicks off in December in Kyoto, Japan. The hybrid approach would set strict emission guidelines for countries to meet, and perhaps allow them to trade emissions credits among themselves, but allow them to escape the limits if compliance ends up costing too much. The escape hatch is what's angering environmentalists.
Nothing is settled yet, the administration is quick to point out.
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