APEC soft on emissions

A SECRET document prepared for the world leaders attending John Howard's climate summit reveals they are being asked to back a weakened plan to set an "aspirational" goal to cut greenhouse gases, rather than firm targets.

The secret full draft of the declaration for the Asia-Pacific Economic Co-operation forum, obtained by the Herald, is supposed to be announced by the 21 leaders at the close of next month's summit in Sydney.

The document reveals Mr Howard, the US President, George Bush, and the other APEC leaders will call for the aspirational global goal to be included in the next round of UN climate negotiations. The APEC leaders will also back agreements to promote energy efficiency and new technology, including nuclear power, to combat global warming.
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