UK, US urge Australia PM to back global climate change agreement

Times of India , Friday, December 12, 2008
Correspondent : PTI
MELBOURNE: UK Prime Minister Gordon Brown and former US vice-president Al Gore have strongly urged Australian prime minister Kevin Rudd to publicly back a tough global climate change agreement in the backdrop of growing domestic pressure for not following world on cutting greenhouse gas emissions.

The two leaders reportedly called up Rudd over the weekend after the head of nation's peak mining industry body attacked Australian banks including NAB and Westpac seeking Australia to follow the deep and unilateral greenhouse emission reductions, 'The Australian' report said.

Australian Workers Union leader Paul Howes accused the banks of being hypocritical and dishonest on the issue, and said they stood to reap all the benefits of a new carbon market without suffering any pains.

The Australian Industry Group, which represents the manufacturing sector, is urging the Rudd government to rethink even modest plans because of the global financial crisis - either starting its scheme as a "dry run" until the economic situation improves, or delaying the proposed 2010 start date.

The conflicting pressures centre on the size of the emission cuts to be announced when the government unveils its scheme on Monday, and the extent to which they are contingent on the success of an international deal at next year's crucial UN summit meeting in Copenhagen.

 
SOURCE : Friday, 12 December 2008
 


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