Climate partners won't cut back on fossil fuel. 12/01/2006. ABC News Online

Ministers of the six member countries of the Asia-Pacific climate pact have declared that the use of fossil fuels will not be cut back.

The announcement was made a climate conference in Sydney today.

The summit of the new partnership between Australia, the US, China, India, Japan and South Korea has also foreshadowed the increasing use of nuclear power.

The communique of the inaugural meeting says renewable energy and nuclear power will be an increasing share of global energy supplies.

Despite environmentalists calling for a move away from fossil fuels, the partnership has declared the use of coal, oil and gas an enduring reality for this century.

The ministers have agreed to a work plan to develop, demonstrate and implement cleaner and lower emission technologies to allow their continued economic use.

Eight government-business task forces will identify research and innovation directions in key industries and develop action plans that might set some goals.

The summit yesterday formulated an agreement supporting the use of coal and looking to technology to control pollution.

Big business would be expected to accept much of the responsibility and cost of cleaning up the environment.

Australia and the US have both refused to sign the Kyoto Protocol to reduce greenhouse gases.

They say this new partnership will provide a more effective solution, embracing technology like geosequestration, which involves burying carbon pollution.

Environment groups believe setting targets and deadlines under the Kyoto agreement is still the best way to address climate change.
In other developments:
Under the United Nations' Kyoto Protocol on global warming, the forest is a saint, as trees suck in carbon dioxide (CO2) as part of the natural process of respiration. (Full Story)
Prime Minister John Howard has committed an extra $100 million over five years to support clean air industry development projects. (Full Story)
Climate change observers have roundly criticised the Asia Pacific climate conference in Sydney this week as a waste of time. (Full Story)