美国环境外交政策的制约因素分析

An Analysis of Factors Deciding American Foreign Policy on the Environment

美国环境外交政策虽然呈现出易变反复的特点,其重要的制约因素却是恒定的:维护自身利益的现实主义。在推广其国内环境制度设计或在市场竞争中维持必要的环境标准的时候,美国会引领全球环境治理。但是由于其对"共同但有区别的责任"原则始终有疑虑,导致环境外交政策总会把发展中国家作为自身行动的参照系;出于环境协定会影响经济发展的考虑,其对达成这样的协定也抱有戒心。美国依靠化石燃料的能源结构在短期内很难会改变,虽然行政机构及其幕僚和思想库会提出联邦范围的减排计划,但是国会总会以影响经济发展为由拒绝批准相关议案。再者,化石燃料行业和政治交织在一起,让政策制定过程更加复杂,充满变数。在未来,对美国有约束力的国际协定可能会由行政机构签订,但寻求国会支持仍然十分困难。有希望的是在地方层面上的市场机制和科技创新。

Although the American Foreign Policy on the Environment is characterized by variability and repetition,the most decisive factor remains unchanged:the realism of safeguarding its own interests.The United States will lead global environmental governance,when promoting its domestic environmental system design or maintaining the necessary environmental standards in market competition.Because it has always been sensitive to the principle of"common but differentiated responsibilities",it often uses developing countries as an excuse for its reluctance to take action on climate change.The doubts about the negative effects on the economy makes policymakers easily appalled by environmental agreements.The energy structure of the United States,mainly comprising fossil fuels,will remain so in the short term.The executive branch,with the help of advisors and think tanks,has proposed a lot of plans to reduce emissions,but Congress has always refused to pass such bills on the grounds of negatively affecting American economy.Moreover,the fossil fuel industry and politics are intertwined to make the policy-making process more complex and uncertain.In the future,binding agreements are likely to be signed by the executive branch,but seeking congressional support remains difficult.The hope resides in scientific and technological innovation as well as market mechanisms at the local level.