US set for environmental face-off at G8 summit

The US could be set for a clash over the issue of the environment at next month's G8 summit, according to reports.

Sources close to the talks have revealed that the US is trying to dilute a declaration on global warming, putting it on a collision course with hosts Germany.

In a draft of the declaration dated April 2007, the US objects to a pledge to limit global warming to 2°C this century and cut world greenhouse gas emissions by 50 per cent below 1990 levels by 2050.

Washington is apparently not convinced that the United Nations is the best forum to tackle the climate crisis and rejects a section stating that carbon markets are a key means of developing and deploying climate-friendly technologies.

"They have rejected any mention of targets and timetables, don't want the UN to get more involved and refuse to endorse carbon trading because it must by definition involve targets," a source said.

The leaders of Britain, the US, Russia, Canada, Japan, Italy and France will attend the summit hosted by Germany in the Baltic resort town of Heligendamm from June 6-8.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel is determined to push through wide ranging declarations committing to global action on climate warming and energy security, but is meeting equally strong resistance from Washington, supported by Canada.

© Independent Television News Limited 2007. All rights reserved.

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