Bush moots int'l fund to promote clean energy sources

US President George W Bush favours a new global deal on cutting greenhouse gases which "gives none a free ride."

Mooting a new international fund to help developing nations like India and China make greater use of clean energy sources, US President George W Bush has favoured a new global deal on cutting greenhouse gases which "gives none a free ride."

HT Image

In his last State of the Union address, Bush, whose term will end next January, chose to broach on the issue of climate change which his administration has been accused of ignoring, and underscored the need to increase the use of renewable power and emissions-free nuclear power.

"Let us create a new international clean technology fund which will help developing nations like India and China make greater use of clean energy sources. And let us complete an international agreement that has the potential to slow, stop, and eventually reverse the growth of greenhouse gases" Bush said to loud applause from the audience on Capitol Hill.

He, however, warned that the agreement "will be effective only if it includes commitments by every major economy and gives none a free ride".

"The United States is committed to strengthening our energy security and confronting global climate change, and the best way to meet these goals is for America to continue leading the way toward the development of cleaner and more energy-efficient technology."

"Our security, our prosperity, and our environment all require reducing our dependence on oil," Bush told the Congress in his state of union address which was overshadowed by the presidential primaries ahead of the November elections.