US needs to show leadership in cutting emissions: Schwarzenegger

The US must begin to cut emissions of greenhouse gases before it can expect developing nations such as China and India to do so, US California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger said.

New Delhi, June 27 : The US must begin to cut emissions of greenhouse gases before it can expect developing nations such as China and India to do so, US California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger said.

While a world framework on cutting emissions should involve both India and China, the US needs to take the lead in fighting climate change, Schwarzenegger said today in a press conference in London with UK Prime Minister Tony Blair.

"We can't go to India and China and say, 'This is what we want you to do, we want you to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, when we are in fact the one that has five percent of world population and emits 25 percent of greenhouse gases. We have to show leadership," The China Daily quoted Schwarzenegger, as saying.

US President George W. Bush has refused to commit the US to absolute cuts in emissions of carbon dioxide and other gases blamed for global warming, citing the potential damage to the economy.

In the absence of federal emissions cuts, US states are setting their own measures, Schwarzenegger said. He cited California's targets of reducing the output of gases to 1990 levels by 2020, and a further 80 percent cut by 2050.

In 2001, Bush rejected the Kyoto Protocol, the only global emissions-reductions treaty. Under the pact, 35 nations and the European Union committed to cut emissions by a combined 5.2 percent from 1990 levels by 2012.

ANI