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Rice urges climate change accord Rice urges climate change accord
(about 4 hours later)
US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice has said climate change is a real problem, and world leaders should forge a new global consensus on tackling it.US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice has said climate change is a real problem, and world leaders should forge a new global consensus on tackling it.
At a meeting of the top 16 polluting countries, Ms Rice said nations should pursue lower-carbon energy sources.At a meeting of the top 16 polluting countries, Ms Rice said nations should pursue lower-carbon energy sources.
She expressed support for UN efforts to achieve international agreements on the issue at talks in Bali in December.She expressed support for UN efforts to achieve international agreements on the issue at talks in Bali in December.
Critics are concerned that the meeting might be used to press for voluntary rather than binding emission cuts.Critics are concerned that the meeting might be used to press for voluntary rather than binding emission cuts.
This would dilute attempts to reach a global agreement through the UN in the next two years, ahead of the expiry of the Kyoto Protocol in 2012.This would dilute attempts to reach a global agreement through the UN in the next two years, ahead of the expiry of the Kyoto Protocol in 2012.
All nations should tackle climate change in the ways that they deem best Condoleezza RiceAll nations should tackle climate change in the ways that they deem best Condoleezza Rice
The US, China, India and other major polluters have opposed mandatory cuts in greenhouse gases pressed for by the UN and some European countries.The US, China, India and other major polluters have opposed mandatory cuts in greenhouse gases pressed for by the UN and some European countries.
Ms Rice challenged leaders to reduce their dependence on fossil fuels by shifting toward energy sources that would reduce global warming - without harming their economies.Ms Rice challenged leaders to reduce their dependence on fossil fuels by shifting toward energy sources that would reduce global warming - without harming their economies.
She said climate change could not be dealt with entirely as an environmental question but "in a way that does not starve economies of the energy that they need to grow".She said climate change could not be dealt with entirely as an environmental question but "in a way that does not starve economies of the energy that they need to grow".
"Though united by common goals and collective responsibility, all nations should tackle climate change in the ways that they deem best," she said."Though united by common goals and collective responsibility, all nations should tackle climate change in the ways that they deem best," she said.
Many scientists say political action is falling behind what is needed to avert lasting damage to Earth's climate.Many scientists say political action is falling behind what is needed to avert lasting damage to Earth's climate.
NegotiationsNegotiations
The two-days talks were called by US President George W Bush, who said he was looking for a show of leadership on climate change. He will address the meeting on Friday. The two-day talks were called by US President George W Bush, who said he was looking for a show of leadership on climate change. He will address the meeting on Friday.
Motives behind Bush's summitMotives behind Bush's summit
Representatives from Australia, Britain, Brazil, Canada, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, South Korea, Mexico, Russia, South Africa and the US are attending.Representatives from Australia, Britain, Brazil, Canada, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, South Korea, Mexico, Russia, South Africa and the US are attending.
Together they account for more than 90% of global greenhouse gas emissions.Together they account for more than 90% of global greenhouse gas emissions.
Delegates will seek agreement on global goals for "energy security and reducing greenhouse gas emissions", the White House said in a statement.Delegates will seek agreement on global goals for "energy security and reducing greenhouse gas emissions", the White House said in a statement.
Representatives from the EU and the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change are also taking part.Representatives from the EU and the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change are also taking part.
A UN conference in Indonesia later this year will aim to set a roadmap for negotiations to tighten a mandatory clamp on carbon gas after 2012, when current commitments under the Kyoto Protocol run out.A UN conference in Indonesia later this year will aim to set a roadmap for negotiations to tighten a mandatory clamp on carbon gas after 2012, when current commitments under the Kyoto Protocol run out.
The top UN climate official, Yvo de Boer, said US officials have repeatedly pledged that Mr Bush's initiative will feed back into the UN process.The top UN climate official, Yvo de Boer, said US officials have repeatedly pledged that Mr Bush's initiative will feed back into the UN process.