Britain's Environment Secretary to Criticise America Over Climate Change Delays

The British government is to criticize George Bush for trying to defer talks on setting targets for reducing green house gas emissions.

On the eve of the G8 summit, environment secretary David Miliband will say later today that Mr Bush did not go far enough when he accepted the need only for a "long term global goal" on reductions in carbon emissions last week.

In a speech in Washington, Mr Miliband will describe the president's commitment as only a "first step".

He will say: "It represents the first not the last step towards a global agreement on emissions reductions. It is vital we continue to make progress at this week's meeting of the G8."

At this week's summit Britain and Germany want the US to agree to specific targets to cut emissions by 2050.

Mr Miliband's speech, which was released by his officials, will say that American action is essential in tackling global warming.

"The climate challenge will only be met with strong leadership from the US," his speech says.

It adds: "Climate change is the defining example of our interdependence. We cannot create a secure climate, unless all countries take action and cooperate on an international framework.

"An international framework cannot be an international framework without the US."

The US currently leads the world in the amount of greenhouse gases it emits.

Mr Miliband will also compare America's reluctance to tackle climate change with its initial refusal to fight fascism during the Second World War.

"The history of American engagement with the world's problems sometimes shows reticence before engagement," he is due to say.

He will add: "The United States saved the world from disaster in the 20th century; rescuing it from fascism, and investing in post-war reconstruction. The US has the opportunity and responsibility to do so again in the 21st century."

Mr Miliband's speech is entitled "Greening the American Dream". He will argue that America has much to gain "economically and politically from putting itself at the forefront of this global battle".