Global leaders vow to tackle climate change

Ahead of the key Copenhagen meet in December to tackle global warming, leading Indian environmentalist R K Pachauri and 29 other global leaders have inked a declaration vowing to jointly work to pursue clean transportation and back national climate change legislations.

"Addressing the problems caused by climate change is the greatest environmental challenge of our time," California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, who was among the signatories of the declaration, said after a climate summit.

At the 'Governors' Global Climate Summit' "we heard leaders and experts from around the globe discuss the innovative steps and strategies being championed in the fight against global warming," he said.

In the declaration, Pachauri, Schwarzenegger, former British Premier Tony Blair and other leaders pledged to work together to pursue clean transportation and mobility, support national climate change legislation, include forests in climate policy development, acknowledge need for adaptation efforts and recognise role of sub-national governments in the discussions on the next global climate pact being negotiated in Copenhagen this December.

"We have deepened our partnerships and renewed our commitment to work collaboratively to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and create a cleaner planet and stronger economy for the next generation," Schwarzenegger said.

"In signing this declaration we are sending a powerful message to the national leaders negotiating the next global climate agreement that we are ready for action. The time to act is now," the California Governor said.

'The Governors' Global Climate Summit' clearly demonstrated the key role local and state governments can play in addressing climate change, said Amy Fraenkel, Director of United Nations Environment Programme's (UNEP) Regional Office for North America.

"The summit also illustrated that action is needed at all levels - and in partnership with the private sector and civil society - if we are to move forward this defining issue of our time."

The declaration reaffirms and builds upon the goals of last year's Governors' Global Climate Summit.

Leaders, who signed the declaration, are acknowledging the need for greater efforts to collaborate on climate change solutions and support the recognition of the role of sub- national governments in the fight against global warming, said a statement issued at the conclusion of the summit.

They are also renewing their commitments to promote policies that reduce greenhouse gases and implement strategies to grow their green economies, it said.

Among other signatories to this declaration are David Paterson, Governor of New York; Bill Richardson, Governor of New Mexico; Premier Gary Doer, Manitoba, Canada; Premier Jean Charest, Quebec, Canada; and Governor Antonio Waldez Goes da Silva, Amapa, Brazil.