Blair 'confident of climate change progress'
Tony Blair expects progress in combating climate change at the G8 summit, Gordon Brown says in a TV interview screened tomorrow.
But that will stop short of any agreement to limit greenhouse gasses, the Chancellor signalled.
The British Prime Minister has made action on global warming, along with African development, his twin aims at next month’s Gleneagles gathering.
The United States has repeatedly made clear it is not prepared to agree the kind of emissions limits set out in the Kyoto Protocol.
Mr Brown said there were “two ways of looking at the issue” either setting targets or examining alternative energy sources and improving energy efficiency.
“It seems to me that that road that Tony is persuading the rest of the countries to go down is one that looks very carefully at future energy needs,” he said.
“It looks at how science and technology can advance and then looks at how we can engage the developing countries including China in this process…
“We’re several weeks away from the Gleneagles summit. This is on the agenda.
“I know for a fact – but its not for me to reveal it – but a huge amount of private work is being done.”
The Chancellor told ITV’s Dimbleby programme: “Tony Blair expects to be able to say that there will be progress on the front that I’m talking about and that is on the science and the technology, the cooperation between countries, the engagement of the developing countries.”
He added: “People will be looking to what solutions will come from the G8, the work that is being done I believe will yield important results but it’s not for me reveal the details.”
