Obama energy chief lays out wish list for final Paris deal

Carbon reduction verification methods and a process for updating and renewing climate goals top the American wish list for a final deal before the Paris climate conference ends this week, Energy Secretary Ernest Moniz said Monday.

Speaking to reporters in Paris, Moniz said that the United States wants a final climate deal to include mechanisms to verify how well countries are progressing on their carbon emission goals, as well as a way to renew those commitments in the future.

{mosads}“We are looking for verifiable approaches for accounting for progress. We’ve been very clear that we would like to see a regular review period,” he said.

He also promoted energy sector technological innovation as a key priority for a final deal, something he will focus on during his trip to Paris this week for the closing days of the climate conference.

United Nations negotiators released a draft deal over the weekend for reducing worldwide carbon emissions. They hope to finalize a deal around the end of the conference on Dec. 11.

Moniz, Secretary of State John Kerry and Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Gina McCarthy are all in Paris this week helping to make the Obama administration’s case for a strong climate deal.

Moniz warned, though, that negotiators have to keep the American political situation in mind before finalizing a treaty that might require buy-in from congressional Republicans, who are hostile to the negotiations.

“The president put forward a strong action plan in June of 2013, which we are executing. When I mention political realities, what I mean is that action plan, with ambitious targets, is based on existing executive authorities,” he said.

“The president made clear, and I think it’s important, that ultimately we do have legislation that provides an economy-wide approach, but in the meantime, we will emphasize executive authorities for meeting our ambitious targets.”