BP pressed on with its bid to cap the Gulf of Mexico spill yesterday amid a new blow to its tattered image as a credit agency warned the clean-up costs will weigh on the oil giant for years.

UNLESS there is a seismic change in global energy usage the world is facing temperature increases of up to 6C by 2030 and catastrophic consequences for our climate, the International Energy Agency (IEA) has warned.

World energy needs will rise by more than 50% by 2030 but adequate oil reserves, conservation and new methods of recovery mean supply will keep pace with demand, the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries said today.