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<div><img alt="" src="http://hits.guardian.co.uk/b/ss/guardiangu-feeds/1/H.15.1/94876?ns=guardian&pageName=World+news%3A+Obama+vows+%27new+chapter%27+on+climate+change+at+Schwarzenegger+summit&ch=World+news&c3=guardian.co.uk&c4=US+environment%2CClimate+change+%28Environment%29%2CRenewable+energy+%28Environment%29%2CBarack+Obama+%28News%29%2CEnergy+%28Environment%29%2CUS+news%2CWorld+news&c5=Not+commercially+useful%2CClimate+Change%2CEnergy%2CUS+Elections&c6=Suzanne+Goldenberg&c7=2008_11_18&c8=1119891&c9=article&c10=GU&c11=World+news&c12=US+environment&c13=&c14=&h2=GU%2FWorld+news%2FUS+environment" width="1" height="1" /></div>Barack Obama today renewed his promise to make a decisive break with George Bush on the environment, using a summit convened by Arnold Schwarzenegger to promise a "new chapter in America's leadership on climate change".The video appearance by Obama confirmed Schwarzenegger's role as a global leader on climate change, a position shored up only hours before when the California governor set a bold new target for his state to get a third of its electricity from renewable sources by 2020.In his address, the president-elect accused Bush of failing to show leadership on the issue of climate change. "That will change when I take office," he said.He went on to lay out an ambitious agenda, beginning with targets aimed at reducing greenhouse gas ambitions to 1990 levels by 2020. He also reiterated a campaign pledge to invest $15bn each year in development of clean technology - including coal and nuclear power."This investment will not only help us reduce our dependence on foreign oil, making the United States more secure. And it will not only help us bring about a clean energy future, saving our planet. It will also help us transform our industries and steer our country out of this economic crisis by generating 5m new green jobs that pay well and can't be outsourced."Schwarzenegger's targets for electricity generation as well as Obama's appearance at the conference confirmed the governor's leadership role in efforts to curb green house gas emissions at a time when there has been a vacuum at the federal government level.Yesterday, the governor signed an executive order committing California to obtain a third of its electricity from renewable sources."I am proposing we set the most aggressive target in the nation for renewable energy," he told reporters. The state legislature still must pass the goal into law.Even before yesterday's order, California was already committed to producing 20% of its power from wind and solar power by 2010, and new plants are under construction in the state. "Today is all about changing our goals and raising the bar," Schwarzenegger said.Today's summit comes at a pivotal time, ahead of the United Nations meeting on climate in Poland next month and amid expectation of a dramatic shift in US environmental policy once Obama is in the White House.As Obama noted in the video address, he will not attend the meeting in Poland but had asked members of Congress who will be there to report back to him."Once I take office, you can be sure that the United States will once again engage vigorously in these negotiations, and help lead the world toward a new era of global cooperation on climate change," he said. "When I am president, any governor who's willing to promote clean energy will have a partner in the White House. Any company that's willing to invest in clean energy will have an ally in Washington. And any nation that's willing to join the cause of combating climate change will have an ally in the United States of America."Schwarzenegger's meeting brought together European, Indian and Chinese officials, oil company executives and environmentalists along with a handful of Schwarzenegger's fellow governors.Schwarzenegger invited his 49 fellow governors to the summit, but only four - from Florida, Illinois, Kansas and Wisconsin - were expected to make an appearance. Representatives from Michigan, Colorado, Utah and Washington state were also on hand.Although California is unable to sign international treaties on climate change, Schwarzenegger has built a reputation for his efforts to cut emissions both in California and abroad.He set up a cape-and-trade emissions market between western US states and Canadian provinces.The governor is expected to follow up on those efforts at the summit with a declaration in which participating leaders will pledge to work together to reduce emissions."This declaration will help advance efforts being undertaken by our national governments for the next global agreement on climate change," Schwarzenegger's office said in a statement.Schwarzenegger is also expected to sign agreements with Indonesia and Brazil making it easier for California companies to invest in reforestation projects in those countries.However, the governor was also accused of trying to pre-empt Obama, who has committed to bringing in a national emissions reduction plan within two years.The agenda for the summit carries a disclaimer saying it is not intended to displace any action by the federal government.Schwarzenegger said in a statement that the summit was aimed at a global audience. "We are sending a powerful message to the rest of the world, while striving to influence the position our national governments take in the next global agreement on climate change," he said.<div style="float: left; margin-right: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px;"><ul><li><a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/environment">US environment</a></li><li><a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/climatechange">Climate change</a></li><li><a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/renewableenergy">Renewable energy</a></li><li><a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/barackobama">Barack Obama</a></li><li><a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/energy">Energy</a></li><li><a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/usa">United States</a></li></ul></div><div class="guRssAdvert"><a href="http://ads.guardian.co.uk/click.ng/richmedia=yes&site=News&country=usa&spacedesc=rss&system=rss&transactionID=1227036769300111819394754109"><img src="http://ads.guardian.co.uk/image.ng/richmedia=yes&site=News&country=usa&spacedesc=rss&system=rss&transactionID=1227036769300111819394754109" border="0" /></a></div><a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk">guardian.co.uk</a> © Guardian News & Media Limited 2008 | Use of this content is subject to our <a href="http://users.guardian.co.uk/help/article/0,,933909,00.html">Terms & Conditions</a> | <a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/webfeeds/1,,1309488,00.html">More Feeds</a>

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