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Apec leaders reach climate deal Apec leaders reach climate deal
(about 1 hour 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 - two of the world's biggest polluters - 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.
But environmentalists have criticised the agreement for being symbolic rather than concrete. Environmentalists said the declaration was symbolic rather than concrete.
Map of key summit locations Map of key summit locations
Forest cover Protests
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 Saturday's statement by the Asia-Pacific Economic Co-operation forum.
"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. We are serious about addressing in a sensible way, compatible with our different economic needs, the great challenge of climate change John HowardAustralian Prime Minister
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. Sydney has seen the biggest security operation ever mounted by Australia for the meeting.
The leaders also called for increased forest cover in the Asia-Pacific region by at least 20m hectares (50m acres) by 2020. Isolated scuffles broke out on Saturday between police and a few of the 5,000 protesters who marched through the heart of Sydney for a rally in Hyde Park, but the day remained peaceful on the whole.
And they agreed that greenhouse gas reduction strategies should reflect "differences in economic and social conditions" in each country. The Apec 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.
Top polluters The leaders also called for increased forest cover in the Asia-Pacific region of at least 20m hectares (50m acres) by 2020.
The statement also included China's and other developing nations' calls for global warming negotiations to take place under United Nations auspices. And they agreed greenhouse gas reduction strategies should reflect "differences in economic and social conditions" in each country.
China says curbs on industry must be balanced with the challenge of lifting millions of people out of poverty. The BBC's Nick Bryant in Sydney says the deal is the first time China and the US have accepted global goals to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
Summit host Mr Howard said: "We are serious about addressing in a sensible way, compatible with our different economic needs, the great challenge of climate change."
'Stunt'
But Greenpeace said the agreement was a "distraction" rather than a "declaration".
In pictures: Fortress Sydney
A spokeswoman for the organisation, Catherine Fitzpatrick, said: "Without supporting binding targets for developed countries, which is where the rubber really hits the road on climate action, it looks like a political stunt by John Howard."
The Sydney declaration also included China's and other developing nations' calls for global warming negotiations to take place under United Nations auspices.
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 usually top the agenda at the forum but climate change has led this year's talks. Saturday's deal followed wrangling at the summit over the shape of a treaty to replace the landmark Kyoto Protocol of 1997.
Sydney has seen the biggest security operation ever mounted by Australia ahead of the meeting.
In pictures: Fortress Sydney
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