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Climate attitude shifting - Blair Climate attitude shifting - Blair
(40 minutes later)
Prime Minister Tony Blair is to tell the World Economic Forum that a major breakthrough on long-term climate change goals could be close. Prime Minister Tony Blair has told the World Economic Forum that a major breakthrough on long-term climate change goals could be close.
Mr Blair will say this is possible because of a "quantum shift" in the attitude of the US. He told the forum in Davos, Switzerland it was possible because of a "quantum shift" in the attitude of the US.
He also cites the German presidency of the European Union as a crucial factor. He said the German G8 presidency offered an opportunity for a new international agreement for when the Kyoto Protocol expired in 2010.
Mr Blair will tell the conference, being held in Davos, Switzerland: "I believe we are potentially on the verge of a breakthrough." "I believe we are potentially on the verge of a breakthrough," he said.
He will pledge to work with other world leaders towards a more "radical" and "comprehensive" successor to the Kyoto protocol. He also pledged to work with other world leaders towards a more "radical" and "comprehensive" successor to the Kyoto protocol.
Mr Blair will praise Chancellor Angela Merkel's focus on climate change during her EU presidency and India and China's engagement with the G8. Mr Blair praised Chancellor Angela Merkel's focus on climate change during her EU presidency and India and China's engagement with the G8.
"The German G8 Presidency gives us the opportunity to agree at least the principles of a new, binding international agreement to come into effect when the Kyoto Protocol expires in 2010," Mr Blair said.
"But one which is more radical than Kyoto and more comprehensive, one which this time, includes all the major countries of the world."
Full houseFull house
According to the BBC's Tim Weber, the conference hall where Mr Blair is to make his speech is completely full and there is much anticipation ahead of his address. According to the BBC's Tim Weber, the conference hall was completely full for Mr Blair's speech and there was much anticipation ahead of his address.
Some observers are seeing his speech as an attempt to be viewed as an elder statesman once he steps down as prime minister.Some observers are seeing his speech as an attempt to be viewed as an elder statesman once he steps down as prime minister.
Mr Blair will also say: "The mood in the US is in the process of a quantum shift. Mr Blair said: "The mood in the US is in the process of a quantum shift. " "The president's State of the Union address built on his 'addicted to oil' speech last year and set the first US targets for a reduction in petrol consumption.
"The president's State of the Union address built on his 'addicted to oil' speech last year and set the first US targets for a reduction in petrol consumption.
"The German presidency gives us an opportunity to agree at least the principles of a new binding international agreement, to come into effect when Kyoto expires in 2012, but one which is more radical than Kyoto and more comprehensive.
"More comprehensive because it includes America, China and India. It is a prize of tantalising significance and I think it is possible."
Trade ministers from around 30 countries have previously agreed during the conference that full-scale global trade talks should resume quickly.Trade ministers from around 30 countries have previously agreed during the conference that full-scale global trade talks should resume quickly.
Politicians have said it would be "catastrophic" if the talks failed.Politicians have said it would be "catastrophic" if the talks failed.