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Rice urges climate change accord US urges climate change consensus
(about 3 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 the US was "a major emitter" and was not "above the international community on the issue".
She expressed support for UN efforts to achieve international agreements on the issue at talks in Bali in December. She said that the "growing problem" should be resolved under UN auspices.
Critics are concerned that the meeting might be used to press for voluntary rather than binding emission cuts. Critics voiced concern that the US was trying to rally support 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, ahead of the expiry of the Kyoto Protocol in 2012.
All nations should tackle climate change in the ways that they deem best Condoleezza Rice All nations should tackle climate change in the ways that they deem best Condoleezza Rice class="" href="/1/hi/sci/tech/7015921.stm">Motives behind Bush's summit
The US, China, India and other major polluters have opposed mandatory cuts in greenhouse gases pressed for by the UN and some European countries. US President George W Bush, who rejected the Kyoto Protocol in 2001, has opposed mandatory cuts, calling instead for voluntary approaches - echoed by China and India.
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. At the talks in Washington, Ms Rice said: "Though united by common goals and collective responsibility, all nations should tackle climate change in the ways they deem best."
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 challenged leaders to reduce their dependence on fossil fuels by moving toward energy sources that would reduce global warming - but without harming their economies.
"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.
Negotiations
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 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.
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. President George W Bush is expected to address the meeting on Friday.
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. Small practical steps
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. Representatives from the EU and the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change are also attending the US-sponsored meeting.
The BBC's environment analyst Roger Harrabin says Europe's political leaders do not anticipate much from these talks - most have sent junior ministers or even civil servants.
Activists want the US to take the lead in solving the climate crisisHowever, our correspondent says they hope that perhaps some small practical steps may emerge to help share best practice between industrial sectors and they are relieved that publicly, at last, America is saying that climate change is really a problem that needs tackling.
The top UN climate official, Yvo de Boer, said he believed the discussions could feed back into the UN process.
The UN is to hold a meeting in Indonesia in December, where representatives will consider ways to tighten a mandatory clampdown on carbon emissions after the Kyoto pact expires.
Mr de Boer said it was crucial that industrialised nations committed to an approach that went "well beyond present efforts, given their historic responsibilities and economic capabilities".
Many scientists say political action is falling behind what is needed to avert lasting damage to Earth's climate.