Climate change 'deal' reached at Apec meeting
World leaders are meeting at the Apec summit in Sydney
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Saturday, 08, Sep 2007 10:33
Australian prime minister John Howard claims world leaders have reached a "new international consensus" on climate change issues.
Mr Howard spoke on behalf of world leaders meeting at the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (Apec) summit in Sydney.
The Australian head of state said that agreement had been reached on three core issues addressing climate change.
Adding that the meeting was significant as it was the first at which the US and China, two of the world's largest polluters, had participated.
"In the Sydney declaration we have agreed on three very important and quite specific things. Firstly, the need for a long term aspirational, global, emissions reduction goal," said Mr Howard.
"Secondly, the need for all nations, no matter what their stage of development, to contribute according to their own capacities and their own circumstances to reducing greenhouse gases.
"Thirdly, we have agreed on specific Apec goals on energy intensity and forestry and we've also agreed on the important role of clean coal technologies."
Mr Howard called the agreement a "very important milestone" that bridged international divisions. He added that the Sydney declaration had been adopted and would be discussed further at a leaders' declaration tomorrow.
The US, which has not ratified the Kyoto Protocol, has expressed fears that environmental protection will hurt economic growth.
Developing countries have previously refused to agree on curbing emissions stating that major polluters should carry the brunt of the proposed cuts in carbon emissions.