Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Blair: CO<sub>2</sub> cuts would not 'trash' US economy

Marie Woolf,Chief Political Correspondent
Monday 24 February 2003 01:00 GMT
Comments

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

Tony Blair will today send a message to President George Bush that he must play his part to tackle global warming and cannot hide behind the argument that it will damage the US economy.

The Prime Minister, in a keynote speech on sustainable development organised by the Department of the Environment, will endorse tougher targets on cutting CO2 emissions and will announce a £70m fund to develop green technology to generate electricity.

Mr Blair will make a thinly veiled attack on President Bush's reluctance to introduce tough targets to cut CO2 emissions in his speech. He will argue that new green technology means that US claims it will have to "trash its economy" to take action on climate change are wrong.

"Because of new technology you need not impact on growth," he is expected to say.

Mr Blair will also argue that the Kyoto targets, which Britain is on course to meet, are not radical enough to tackle global warming. He will announce details of a new carbon trust and will call for a new covenant between nations to protect the environment.

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in