Blair calls for climate change action

Tony Blair told leaders attending the G8 in Germany that time was slipping away for a deal on climate change, warning: “Now is the time to act.”

The Prime Minister said he remained “hopeful of progress” at the G8 but senior British sources fear the call by President Bush to hold a separate conference in 2008 will leave the world on hold until then.

Barely concealing his frustration at the failure to gain a deal to replace Kyoto agreement before he steps down from office, Mr Blair put the best gloss on the summit but admitted the world leaders needed to “go further” in agreeing targets for cutting harmful CO2 emissions by 2050.

After flying to Berlin for last-minute talks with Angela Merkel, the German Chancellor, Mr Blair said: “I think it is good the United States is committed to being part of a global agreement, and has committed to the goal of a substantial reduction in emissions.

The Independent