“The area of disagreement is that the G8 should dictate the national policies of its members,” Connaughton declared to the BBC.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel has invested much effort in setting up a draft agreement in which industrial countries commit themselves to reducing their greenhouse gas emissions by 50% by 2050. Energy efficiency should be raised by 20% and global warming shouldn’t exceed 2 degrees Celsius.

Some days ago, Connaughton presented the US-led Climate Change Framework which feautured technology development, but categorically rejected climate-based emission targets.

More information:

Editorial: Spin doctors on Climate, GP 7 June

Bush makes climate move, GP 1 June