Bush agrees to CO2 cut, with strings attached

George Bush last night pledged the United States to a “substantial” cut in greenhouse gas as the west’s leading industrial nations agreed to negotiate a new climate change deal within the next two years.

After strong lobbying from EU leaders, Mr Bush agreed to “seriously consider” a proposal that would result in a 50% cut in carbon emissions by 2050 but made it clear that US involvement depended on India and China being included in any agreement.