Two separate trends of addressing the problem have emerged. On the one hand, an agreement has been reached between more than 150 nations to begin discussions on imposing new legal reduction targets after the Kyoto Protocol expires in 2012. On the other hand, countries who have been unwilling to bind themselves to strict regulations, have agreed to join efforts in tackling climate change, but on strictly voluntary terms.

Along the first track, industrial countries will stay legally bound to a second round of emission cuts after the Kyoto Protocol has expired. The European Council has stated it would be working on a new legislation to curb aircraft emissions. By implementing US’s idea of Emission Trading, the European Union will be setting the example of uniting the two tracks of dealing with global warming.

Along the second track, the current US government has stated its intention to discuss the implementation of President Bush’s Asia-Pacific partnership on Clean Development and Climate. The partnership will be aimed at spreading energy-efficient technologies to countries such as India, China, Korea, Australia, Japan and the US itself, whose economic growth is expected to be responsible for a huge portion of the global greenhouse-gas emission.