Bush urges halt of CO2 emission growth by 2025

By Jeremy Pelofsky

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - President George W. Bush on Wednesday called for halting the growth of U.S. greenhouse gas emissions by 2025, but drew quick criticism for offering few ideas on how to do so before his term ends next year.

While trying to shape global climate change talks in Paris this week and the debate in the U.S. Congress later this year, Bush's cautious approach on global warming falls far short of European goals and lawmakers' proposals.

Bush, who leaves office in January, offered broad principles rather than mandates, and said the coal-burning electric utilities -- the biggest single source of U.S. carbon dioxide emissions -- need to find high-tech ways of trapping greenhouse gases.

Bush's proposal -- aimed at influencing upcoming U.S. debate of mandatory carbon dioxide rules in June -- rejects new taxes, abandoning nuclear power and adopting trade barriers.

"If we fully implement our strong new laws, adhere to the principles I've outlined, and adopt appropriate incentives, we will put America on an ambitious new track for greenhouse gas reductions," he said. "We're doing a lot to protect this environment."

The three candidates vying to succeed Bush have made climate proposals that go far beyond his, including a cap on industrial carbon dioxide pollution and an emissions trading system similar to the European Union's.

Environmentalists hope the next president will make Washington a leader in talks to create an international climate treaty to succeed the Kyoto Protocol, which expires in 2012 and which the United States has not ratified.

"People are more interested in hearing details of the presidential candidates' thinking on climate change," said Andrei Marcu of the World Business Council for Sustainable Development.