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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 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 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 house | Full 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. |