However, he said the Kyoto treaty was not the answer.
The Kyoto treaty does not set a global price for carbon.
"I happen to be in favor of the Kyoto treaty," he said.
Some business groups that opposed the Kyoto treaty have greeted the chance for a fresh approach to the problem.
The administration has had running clashes in the organization over the Kyoto treaty on global warming.
But just days after her announcement, he rejected the Kyoto treaty on global warming.
Japan has strongly supported the Kyoto treaty, which was negotiated there in 1997.
He simply said that the Kyoto Treaty was important and would be pursued.
"If you link the Kyoto treaty to human rights, you're doing it to the detriment of both," he said.
Even economists who support the Kyoto treaty acknowledge that it will make only a small difference far in the future while imposing serious costs today.