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Climate attitude shifting - Blair Climate attitude shifting - Blair
(10 minutes later)
Prime Minister Tony Blair has told 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.
He told the forum in Davos, Switzerland it was 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 said the German G8 presidency offered an opportunity for a new international agreement for when the Kyoto Protocol expired in 2010. He said the German G8 presidency offered an opportunity for a new international agreement for when the Kyoto Protocol expired in 2012.
"I believe we are potentially on the verge of a breakthrough," he said."I believe we are potentially on the verge of a breakthrough," he said.
He also pledged 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 praised 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. "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 2012," 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.""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 was completely full for Mr Blair's speech and there was 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 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.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.
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.