Polluters vow no sacrifice of growth in climate fight - Yahoo! News

SYDNEY (AFP) - Some of the world's worst polluting nations pledged new tactics to fight global warming, but said they would not sacrifice economic growth while trying to cut back on greenhouse gases.

he strategy was outlined at the end of a two-day conference here bringing ministers from the United States, Australia, Japan, China, India and
South Korea together with more than 100 top executives from big business.

The six nations of the Asia-Pacific Partnership on Clean Development and Climate said at the end of their inaugural meeting that "at the core of (our) vision is our conviction of the urgent need to pursue development and poverty eradication.

"By working together we will be better able to meet our increased energy needs and associated challenges, including those related to air pollution, energy security and greenhouse gas intensity."

The six countries account for almost half of the world's gross domestic product, energy consumption, greenhouse gas emissions and population.

Scientists blame greenhouse gases, produced mainly by the burning of fossil fuels such as coal and oil, for causing increasing temperatures worldwide.

"We recognised that fossil fuels underpin our economies, and will be an enduring reality for our lifetimes and beyond," the statement said.

"It is therefore critical that we work together to develop, demonstrate and implement cleaner and lower emissions technologies that allow for the continued economic use of fossil fuels while addressing air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions."

The group said it also recognised that renewable energy and nuclear power would represent an increasing share of global energy supply.

They viewed climate change as a "serious problem" and said the partnership would complement but not replace the Kyoto Protocol, which commits developed countries to reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

Two of the major countries in the partnership, the United States and Australia, have refused to ratify the protocol saying it would unfairly burden their economies.

The US accounts for 25 percent of carbon emissions while Australia produces more carbon dioxide per person than any other country, but they say the Kyoto pact is unfair as it does not commit developing nations to reducing emissions.

Australian Prime Minister John Howard told the conference "the idea that we can address climate change matters successfully at the expense of economic growth is not only unrealistic but also unacceptable".

The statement said the involvement of the private sector was vital to efforts to combat climate change, reiterating a position that was a central theme of the conference.

"We view the private sector as critical to this effort, and we will marshall considerable financial, human and other resources both from the public and private sectors," it said.

Howard pledged an additional 100 million dollars (75 million US) for green projects over the next five years, with five million going to the partnership.

US Energy Secretary Sam Bodman said US
President George W. Bush had agreed to contribute 52 million to the partnership in the US budget for 2007.

The group announced the establishment of eight "public-private sector task forces" covering cleaner fossil energy, renewable energy, power generation, steel, aluminium, cement, coal mining and buildings and appliances.

The task forces would study anti-pollution technologies and develop action plans "for cooperation, and wherever possibile, ambitious and realistic goals".

The six nations will also consider establishing an Asia Pacific energy technology cooperation centre to develop an energy audit programme, the statement said.

Critics have charged that the conference was simply a smokescreen designed to divert attention from the US and Australian refusal to ratify Kyoto.
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