G8 SUMMIT UK holds out hope for deal on climate change |
|
|
|
Published
:
Wed, 06 Jun 2007 16:41
|
Heiligendamm, Germany (Thomson Financial) - A UK official held out cautious optimism over a deal on climate change at the G8 Summit even as a US official suggested that a final agreement on long-term cuts in greenhouse gas emissions would not be achieved.UK Prime Minister Tony Blair's spokesman said that while the UK is still in favour of a firm target on cutting greenhouse gases, the most favoured route of a UN-sponsored process 'should not be a straitjacket'.'The important thing is that we come out of the summit with a process,' he told reporters travelling with Blair enroute to Germany.He said US President George W Bush's speech last week -- when he said scientific evidence had now convinced him of the need for action on climate change -- was 'significant' in that it acknowledged the need for a global framework to deal with climate change and some form of limits on emissions.However, he stressed that the UK still believes that this can be done through establishing an emissions trading market within a UN process.The spokesman added that other major polluters such as India and China need to 'bear their fair share' of responsibility before anyone can expect movements from the US on the subject.Earlier today, an advisor to Bush said the G8 final communique will not set long-term targets for cutting greenhouse gas emissions.Jim Connaughton, chairman of the White House-run US Council on Environmental Quality, said the US could not agree to long-term targets being fixed, because all nations have to be involved in any accord.frank.prenesti@thomson.comfp/jkm/ssCOPYRIGHTCopyright AFX News Limited 2007. All rights reserved.The copying, republication or redistribution of AFX News Content, including by framing or similar means, is expressly prohibited without the prior written consent of AFX News.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Print this Story
India to defend pro-growth and development position in G8 climate talks 