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Blair urges climate change action Blair urges climate change action
(about 20 hours later)
The world is close to a "catastrophic tipping point" on climate change, Tony Blair has warned in advance of a summit of EU leaders. Tony Blair will later press for urgent action on global warming at a summit of EU leaders in southern Finland.
Climate change and energy security are linked and urgent action is needed, the prime minister warns in a joint letter with his Dutch counterpart. The meeting will focus on securing stable energy supplies - something Mr Blair will argue is closely linked to climate change.
They say Europe needs to lead the world in changing to a low carbon economy and developing other energy sources. In a letter published ahead of the summit, the prime minister said Europe must lead the world in changing to a low-carbon economy.
Mr Blair will attend the informal summit in Lahti, Finland, on Friday. He said the world faced a "catastrophic tipping point" over climate change.
In their letter, Mr Blair and Jan Peter Balkenende warn that failure to act will affect economic growth and long-term energy supply and will cause conflict and insecurity. The letter, which was also signed by Dutch PM Jan Peter Balkenende, warned that failure to act would affect economic growth and long-term energy supply and would cause conflict and insecurity.
We have a window of only 10 to 15 years to take the steps we need to avoid crossing catastrophic tipping points Joint letterWe have a window of only 10 to 15 years to take the steps we need to avoid crossing catastrophic tipping points Joint letter
Energy is top of the agenda for the summit, where the EU leaders will be joined for dinner by Russian President Vladimir Putin.Energy is top of the agenda for the summit, where the EU leaders will be joined for dinner by Russian President Vladimir Putin.
They hope to negotiate better deals for oil and gas companies operating in Russia and better access to the Russian pipeline network.They hope to negotiate better deals for oil and gas companies operating in Russia and better access to the Russian pipeline network.
Mr Blair says it is right to focus on external energy policy but the pace of climate change means the two are linked.Mr Blair says it is right to focus on external energy policy but the pace of climate change means the two are linked.
"We have a window of only 10 to 15 years to take the steps we need to avoid crossing catastrophic tipping points," the letter warns."We have a window of only 10 to 15 years to take the steps we need to avoid crossing catastrophic tipping points," the letter warns.
"These would have serious consequences for our economic growth prospects, the safety of our people and the supply of resources, most notably energy.""These would have serious consequences for our economic growth prospects, the safety of our people and the supply of resources, most notably energy."
DebateDebate
Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso said on Wednesday that climate change was the most pressing problem for political leaders.Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso said on Wednesday that climate change was the most pressing problem for political leaders.
And a plan to cut Europe's energy consumption by 20% before 2020 has been outlined by the European Commission.And a plan to cut Europe's energy consumption by 20% before 2020 has been outlined by the European Commission.
No new decisions will come out of the Lahti meeting, but Mr Blair wants an "in-depth debate" at another summit next year.No new decisions will come out of the Lahti meeting, but Mr Blair wants an "in-depth debate" at another summit next year.
He also wants progressively tighter limits to be put on total CO2 emissions from industry, and an agreement to invest more in renewable energy technology.He also wants progressively tighter limits to be put on total CO2 emissions from industry, and an agreement to invest more in renewable energy technology.
Greenpeace's John Sauven said Mr Blair's record on the climate issue was hypocritical.
"He finally grasps that we don't have long to stop catastrophic climate change but in his decade in power CO2 emissions have gone up in Britain," the campaigner said.
"He says he wants to strengthen the European emissions trading scheme, but last year he was suing Brussels to weaken it. He's done nothing to combat aviation or the trend for gas-guzzling cars."