Bush rules out G8 emissions deal

Hopes of a deal curbing greenhouse gases at this week’s G8 summit in Gleneagles are looking slim today as US president George Bush made clear he was not ready to sign up to any legally-binding limit on emissions.

Mr Bush acknowledged that global warming was “a significant long-term issue” but made clear that he was not ready to accept any restrictions on US energy consumption.

And he said Tony Blair should not expect special favours on climate change and his other summit priority of Africa in return for his staunch support over Iraq. His agenda at Gleneagles would be driven by his assessment of American interests, he said.

Environmental activists voiced dismay at President Bush’s comments, which they said could block any progress on climate change at Gleneagles.

They urged leaders of the other seven G8 countries to sign a communiqué excluding the US rather than accept a watered-down statement which dodged the need for cuts in CO2 emissions.

In his interview for ITV1’s Tonight With Trevor McDonald, Mr Bush was asked if he would sign up to any legally-binding international limits on the carbon emissions believed to cause global warming, of the type agreed in Kyoto in 1997 but never ratified by Washington.

“I walked away from Kyoto because it would damage America’s economy, you bet… I don’t think you can expect any American leader to wreck our economy, nor as an ally and a friend of America and a trading partner of America should you want us to wreck our economy.”