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Blair: I'll Talk Bush Into Emissions Agreement

Lame-duck PM wants UN-approved treaty

By Colleen Barry,  Newser Staff

Posted Jun 6, 2007 7:53 AM CDT
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(Newser) – Heading into his final G8 summit, Tony Blair is thinking big: He says he can persuade President Bush to agree to a UN-backed treaty to reduce carbon emissions by 50%, today's Guardian reports. Blair hopes to reach at least an agreement in principle, but officials fear negotiations will continue to the end of the talks without settling anything.

Blair's confidence stems partly from Bush's speech on carbon reduction last week, which the PM said "moved things on" although it did not set goals for cutting emissions. Blair, who leaves office this month, maintains that any climate change agreements reached at this week's summit will need UN approval and that the US is clear on that proviso.

Protesters gather in advance of the G8 summit.
Protesters gather in advance of the G8 summit.   (Associated Press)
British Prime Minister Tony Blair waves in the Berlin Chancellery on Sunday, June 3, 2007.
British Prime Minister Tony Blair waves in the Berlin Chancellery on Sunday, June 3, 2007.   (Associated Press)
Outgoing British Prime Minister Tony Blair, left, and President Bush.
Outgoing British Prime Minister Tony Blair, left, and President Bush.   (Associated Press)
Outgoing British Prime Minister Tony Blair, left, and President Bush.
Outgoing British Prime Minister Tony Blair, left, and President Bush.   (Associated Press)
President Bush, right, shakes hands with outgoing British Prime Minister Tony Blair, left.
President Bush, right, shakes hands with outgoing British Prime Minister Tony Blair, left.   (Associated Press)
President Bush, right, and outgoing British Prime Minister Tony Blair, left.
President Bush, right, and outgoing British Prime Minister Tony Blair, left.   (Associated Press)
Outgoing British Prime Minister Tony Blair, left, looks towards President Bush.
Outgoing British Prime Minister Tony Blair, left, looks towards President Bush.   (Associated Press)
A protester shouts during a demontration near the airport in Rostock Germany, on Tuesday, June 5, 2007.
A protester shouts during a demontration near the airport in Rostock Germany, on Tuesday, June 5, 2007.   (Associated Press)
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See also

Bush's carbon emissions speech
Associated Press

Bush's speech and international reactions
New York Times

 
climate change • Tony Blair • global warming • G8 summit • George W. Bush • carbon emissions

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