The UN's top climate official stated that the global financial turmoil should not hinder efforts to reach a new world climate deal, as high energy prices continue to drive improvements in energy efficiency. Despite concerns that the financial crisis could impact investments in reducing greenhouse gas emissions, Yvo de Boer emphasized that current oil prices were a more significant factor in the global economy. However, he acknowledged that uncertainty and lack of trust in financial markets were obstacles to developing green energy projects, even with oil prices remaining high. Investment uncertainty is causing nervousness in the market, according to De Boer. He believes that clear government policies on climate change could help reduce this uncertainty, especially for large projects like power plants. De Boer expressed optimism about the United States joining a new global warming accord in Copenhagen in 2009, despite the skepticism of many analysts. He visited Poland to assess preparations for the upcoming climate talks. De Boer stated that the reasons why Washington did not support the Kyoto Protocol in 1997, such as concerns about damaging the U.S. economy and the lack of targets for developing countries, are still relevant. The Kyoto Protocol requires 37 industrialized countries to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by an average of 5 percent below 1990 levels by 2008-2012, with no targets set for developing countries. To get the United States on board, the United Nations must involve developing countries, as China is now the world's top emitter of greenhouse gases. De Boer suggested that this could be achieved by ensuring economic growth and reducing the costs of ambitious climate policies. One method to attract developing nations is through the Clean Development Mechanism (CDM), where an industrialized nation can increase its emission quota by investing in clean energy technology in a developing country. There is ongoing debate within U.N. talks about whether the CDM should encompass coal power plants with carbon dioxide storage capabilities. De Boer believes that carbon capture and storage are crucial for coal-reliant economies like China and India, and suggests that CO2 can be safely stored underground, such as in empty gas fields. De Boer is optimistic that the upcoming U.N. talks in Poznan in December could lead to a new agreement in Copenhagen to replace the Kyoto Protocol, despite doubts expressed by many.