A strong and operational climate accord requires the commitment of all the world's nations, writes David Huebner
Prime Minister John Key has described global climate change as "the biggest environmental challenge of our time".
Once again illustrating our common values, President Barack Obama has said: "Our generation's response to this challenge will be judged by history, for if we fail to meet it - boldly, swiftly, and together - we risk consigning future generations to an irreversible catastrophe."
The United States is committed to achieving the strongest possible outcome at the climate conference in Copenhagen, which represents an important opportunity to work towards a global solution to climate change.
More than 100 heads of government, including President Obama, are scheduled to attend. The world will be watching us.
Climate change is one of the greatest challenges facing our planet, and its impacts are already apparent.
Sea levels are rising, oceans are becoming more acidic, storms are becoming more frequent and intense, glaciers and Arctic ice are disappearing, and water supplies are at risk. These changes threaten the environment, security and stability.
Climate change is a global challenge that demands a global solution. The US has joined others in seeking an international agreement through the UN negotiating process.
We support a legally binding agreement, but world leaders have acknowledged that reaching one in the short time frame of Copenhagen is perhaps unlikely.
It is crucial that all countries, led by major economies, do what it takes to produce a strong, operational accord that will get us started right away and help build the institutions needed to combat climate change.
Danish Prime Minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen first put the idea on the table for such an agreement that all world leaders could stand behind.
It would serve as a commitment that covers all of the major issues in the negotiations: mitigation, adaptation, financing, technology support, transparency and accountability.
President Obama is leading the US in doing its part. We are doing more than ever before, both by supporting domestic policies and by vigorously pursuing international engagement.
The US is prepared to put on the table an emissions reduction target in the range of 17 per cent below 2005 levels by 2020. This puts us on a pathway towards a 30 per cent reduction in 2025 and a 42 per cent reduction in 2030, consistent with the President's goal of 83 per cent reduction by 2050.
But the US cannot solve the problem alone. Success will require action by all, and all major economies will have to present mitigation plans in any new agreement, make clear that they intend to stand behind those plans and agree to a robust transparency regime.
We see encouraging signs.
Ultimately, an international agreement will succeed only if it both complements and promotes sustainable development by moving the world toward a low-carbon economy.
It must provide financial and technological support for countries, particularly the poorest and most vulnerable, to help them reduce emissions and adapt to climate change.
The United States and New Zealand have long worked together to combat climate challenges in locations as diverse as the Antarctic, the Pacific and the North Atlantic.
Copenhagen is not the end of the process. It is part of our larger collective commitment to meeting one of the world's greatest challenges.
The US stands ready to do its part, and we welcome New Zealand's determination to do the same.
Copenhagen represents an opportunity to reach an accord that could speed the transition to a low-carbon global economy.
It is important that we seize it.
* David Huebner is the new United States Ambassador to New Zealand and Samoa.
