G8-Plus group needed to tackle climate change

A report published this week by the Institute for Public Policy Research says the world’s biggest industrialised nations should pledge to use renewable energy to meet a quarter of their electricity needs in the next 20 years.

The report, from the International Climate Change Taskforce, states that as chairman of the G8, Tony Blair should seek agreement to create a G8-Plus Climate Group to engage the USA and major developing countries in action to reduce greenhouse-gas emissions.

The group could also pursue partnerships to achieve immediate deployment of existing low-carbon energy technologies, including shifting agricultural subsidies from food crops to biofuels and promoting the sale of highly energy-efficient cars.

The Rt Hon Stephen Buyers MP, co-chair of the Taskforce, said: “Our recommendations are practical, realistic but also challenging. World leaders need to recognise climate change is the single most important long-term issue the planet faces and to discharge their responsibilities to the people they represent by agreeing to concerted international action to tackle climate change.”