Blair and Bush set stage for G8 climate change deal
British Prime Minister Tony Blair and US President George Bush today set the stage for a deal on climate change at the G8 summit in Gleneagles.
After breakfast talks the two emerged to tell reporters a deal was on the cards.
Mr Bush – seen by green campaigners as a potential sticking point on the issue- told reporters: “There’s a consensus that we need to move forward together.”
And, standing alongside his host, he insisted: “This is going to be a successful summit.”
Mr Blair was more cautious, but he too said he hoped agreement would be reached on global warming.
The issue is set to dominate today’s talks among the leaders of the UK, US, Canada, Japan, France, Germany, Italy and Russia. They will be joined by leaders of five so-called emerging economies – China, India, Mexico, Brazil and South Africa.
Both the Prime Minister and the President believe their involvement in climate change talks is vital if their burgeoning economies are to grow without massive environmental impact.
As the summit proper got under way this morning Mr Blair told reporters: “I hope and believe we will have a good and productive couple of days.”
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