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Apec leaders reach climate deal Apec leaders reach climate deal
(30 minutes later)
Asia-Pacific leaders meeting in Sydney have reached an agreement on climate change, unveiling an "aspirational" goal to reduce greenhouse gases.Asia-Pacific leaders meeting in Sydney have reached an agreement on climate change, unveiling an "aspirational" goal to reduce greenhouse gases.
China and the US are among the 21 nations that have signed the statement, which contains no firm commitments.China and the US are among the 21 nations that have signed the statement, which contains no firm commitments.
Australian Prime Minister John Howard called it "a very important milestone" towards an international deal.Australian Prime Minister John Howard called it "a very important milestone" towards an international deal.
It followed wrangling at the summit over the shape of a treaty to replace the landmark Kyoto Protocol of 1997. But environmentalists have criticised the agreement for being symbolic rather than concrete.
Map of key summit locations Map of key summit locations
"The world needs to slow, stop and then reverse the growth of global greenhouse gas emissions," said the statement by the 21 leaders of the Asia-Pacific Economic Co-operation forum (Apec). Forest cover
Saturday's deal followed wrangling at the summit over the shape of a treaty to replace the landmark Kyoto Protocol of 1997.
"The world needs to slow, stop and then reverse the growth of global greenhouse gas emissions," said the statement by the Asia-Pacific Economic Co-operation forum.
Apec's statement included a non-binding goal of reducing "energy intensity" - the amount of energy used to produce a dollar of gross domestic product - by at least 25% by 2030.
The leaders also called for increased forest cover in the Asia-Pacific region by at least 20m hectares (50m acres) by 2020.
And they agreed that greenhouse gas reduction strategies should reflect "differences in economic and social conditions" in each country.
Top pollutersTop polluters
China and other developing nations have demanded that global warming negotiations take place under United Nations auspices. The statement also included China's and other developing nations' calls for global warming negotiations to take place under United Nations auspices.
They say curbs on industry must be balanced with the challenge of lifting millions of people out of poverty. China says curbs on industry must be balanced with the challenge of lifting millions of people out of poverty.
The UN climate convention is scheduled to host talks in December at the Indonesian resort of Bali.The UN climate convention is scheduled to host talks in December at the Indonesian resort of Bali.
Apec's 21 members, which also include Russia and Japan, together pump out around 60% of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere.Apec's 21 members, which also include Russia and Japan, together pump out around 60% of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere.
Global trade and regional security issues are also on the agenda at the forum, although climate change has led the talks. Global trade and regional security issues usually top the agenda at the forum but climate change has led this year's talks.
Sydney has seen the biggest security operation ever mounted by Australia ahead of the meeting.Sydney has seen the biggest security operation ever mounted by Australia ahead of the meeting.
A 5km (three-mile) barrier has been erected across the central business district and more than 5,000 police and troops are patrolling the streets.
Two police officers have been injured and three protesters arrested on the fringes of the summit.
In pictures: Fortress SydneyIn pictures: Fortress Sydney
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