Bush sinks hopes for a climate deal

My Account
Logout

Create an Evening Standard Account

Use your social network

Save time by using your existing account to sign in to Evening Standard

We'll never share your information or post anything to your account without your permission

Welcome! Sign in here

Use your social network

Save time by using your existing account to sign in to Evening Standard

We'll never share your information or post anything to your account without your permission

Forgot your password ?

Registration

* indicates fields that are mandatory

Email *

Password *

Confirm Password *

First name *

Surname *

Postcode *

Country *

Mobile phone number

Username *

Gender *

Year of birth *

When you sign up...

You will have access to all our online competitions, discounted offers and can post comments on our site.

You will also receive The Weekender newsletter sent every Thursday - it’s full of fantastic offers and ideas for the weekend. You can update your email preferences in your account page when you log in.

Other newsletters and emails

Homes & Property Newsletter - Yes I want to receive the weekly email with all the latest news on property in the capital

Occasionally we would also like to send you relevant emails detailing specific offers either from ourselves or carefully selected partners. If you would prefer not to receive these then please tick the appropriate boxes below. We will never pass on your details.

I do not want to receive additional offers and information from the Evening Standard

I do not want to receive additional offers and information sent by Evening Standard on behalf of carefully selected partners

Terms and Conditions

* I have read, understood and agree to be bound by the terms and conditions of Evening Standard

Registration

Mail Sent for Registration Confirmation.

A confirmation email has been sent. Please activate your account by clicking on the activation link sent in your mail box.

The U.S. president dashed hopes of a G8 victory for the Prime Minister by standing firm against European appeals for a global agreement to cap greenhouse gas emissions.

With the summit by the Baltic barely under way, Mr Blair's policy of standing "shoulder to shoulder" with Mr Bush appeared to have gained little.

The talks were set to be overshadowed by failure on climate change and diplomatic clashes with Russia.

Downing Street claimed Mr Bush's announcement last week that the U.S. now accepted the need for international action to halt global warming was a major breakthrough.

But Government sources said the White House's refusal to put a figure on how much carbon should be cut was "politically disastrous".

Britain has thrown its weight behind an EU demand - led by German Chancellor Angela Merkel -for the G8 to set a target of a 50 per cent cut in global emissions by 2050.

Mr Blair vowed to press ahead with last-minute negotiations aimed at winning American agreement on the target. But it appeared last night that the White House had effectively scuppered a deal before the summit got under way.

With Washington pouring cold water on the scheme, Downing Street was left struggling to put a brave face on what campaigners will claim is a summit failure.

Mr Bush's senior climate adviser said that a number of countries - including the U.S. - would not sign up to a figure limiting emissions.

James Connaughton said there had been progress on the issue of climate change but insisted the U.S. did not believe the G8 should be the forum for setting targets.

"There is significant agreement that those should be established on a national basis, and the only area of disagreement is that the G8 should dictate the national policies of its members," he said.

Mr Blair's official spokesman said: "We are still very much in favour of a target.

"We believe a target is right and we are aiming to get a target."

Representatives of the so-called "plus five" countries - South Africa, China, India, Brazil and Mexico - are also at Heiligendamm.