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America refuses British climate change measures
US refuses UK climate change requests
US to reject UK climate measures
The US will not agree to UK measures to tackle climate change, due to be discussed at the upcoming G8 summit, a US presidential negotiator has said.
Tony Blair had hoped the US would agree to more investment in low-carbon technology and agreement on emissions.
However, President Bush's chief climate negotiator, Harlan Watson, has told the BBC that the US will not agree.
The US would not commit to re-shaping its economy to "incentivise" firms to use new low-carbon technology, he said.
Mr Blair, hosting the 6 July summit in Scotland, also wants a consensus on the science of climate and the need for urgent action.
US 'unconvinced'
However, Mr Watson said the science was uncertain and he was not convinced urgent action was needed.
Mr Watson rejected Mr Blair call for a commitment from the Americans to join an international programme of emission cuts.
Mr Watson's comments came after months of no headway between Mr Blair's officials and their American counterparts on both climate and Africa, another key topic at the summit.
Labour back benchers may consider the US stance as scant reward for Mr Blair's solid support of Mr Bush, BBC correspondent Roger Harrabin said.
SOURCE
BBC News, "US to reject UK climate measures", 13 May 2005.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/4542951.stm
"The Insider" mailing list article, 13 May 2005.
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