What's next? Our own California embassies?

Remember that thing called the U.S. State Department, which used to be involved in negotiating international agreements? It still exists, but since President Bush isn't very interested in messy multi-lateral agreements on global warming, California leaders are negotiating directly with their European counterparts.
Cal-EPA Secretary Linda Adams -- otherwise known as the Condolezza Rice of California carbon diplomacy -- is now shuttling through European capitals. While in Brussels, Reuters quoted her as saying that California will need to link its planned trading system for greenhouse emissions with one Europe is developing.
Next we may see Adams shuttling to less chic corners of the world.
"California and the European Union can't solve this problem alone," Adams is quoted as saying. "We think working together and working with China and India and other countries will lead to a solution."

Cal climate delegation off to Europe

Call it a study mission or some CO2 shuttle diplomacy, but a California delegation that includes Gov. Schwarzenegger's top environmental officials, lawmakers and other officials have departed this week for Europe to meet with the EU's top climate officials.
The itinerary first takes them to Brussels, where they will confab with the International Emissions Trading Association, European Parliamentarians and officials with the Kyoto member states.
They then head to Bonn, Germany to meet with the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change Secretariat and the International Verifiers Roundtable. (The latter group could be considered the Dick Tracy of carbon trading. Its job is to make sure that industries claiming to have reduced carbon emissions -- and are selling credits because of it -- aren't cooking the books.)
Then it is off to London to meet with parliamentarians, industry representatives, the Emissions Trading Group and others.
I'm tempted to make some snarky comments about "junkets," etc., but it behooves California leader to learn about Europe's trials and errors in developing a market to trade emissions. They could do that by reading reports but candid discussions will likely be much more valuable. And they happen to sample a little Belgian ale while in Brussels, well, what's so wrong with that?
For the record, this blogger wanted to join (and was graciously invited by Cal-EPA Secretary Linda Adams) but couldn't put together the necessary Euros.
I'll try to get a full report from the diplomats once they return.