Blair Intends To Continue Working On Climate After Stepping Down - FT

[hatrack]

Tony Blair said yesterday that he intends to work on climate change, among "many other things", after leaving office this summer. The prime minister again signalled his intention to remain in Downing Street until after the G8 summit in June, which he argued offered a "real opportunity" to secure a new international deal on reducing carbon emissions.

A "change of mood in America", allied to growing global awareness of the problems of climate change and energy security, meant there was a "real chance" of getting an outline agreement at the June meeting, Mr Blair told the BBC. Such an agreement - setting a global target for stabilising greenhouse gas emissions as a framework for carbon pricing - would have to be endorsed by the US, China and India to be effective, the prime minister said.

Mr Blair for the first time set out his ambition to remain involved with climate change after he stands down.

"I'd certainly like to carry on working on it, even after leaving office," he said. "Fortunately or unfortunately, I will leave office early enough to do something more with my life. So, yes of course, I will want to have something that's got a real purpose to it and climate change is certainly something I'm interested in - there are many other things too."

EDIT

http://www.ft.com/cms/s/e4a816ac-bfbd-11db-9ac2-000b5df10621.html

Super, Tony. We'll see if you can be just as ineffectual out of office as in it.

[hlthe2b]

1. I haven't seen him have any effect to date...

Better depend on Gore, I'd say, to save the planet... Blair can't see for the brown ooze on his face from his years "befriending" Bush*

[babylonsister]

2. From jail, perhaps? That should be a trick to watch. nt

[Moby Grape]

3. the UK has done nothing

nothing, business as usual
nine years since Kyoto, nothing

.....................
off topic but,
the EU carbon allowance market,
sets new records, both contracts.
congrats.

go here for details
http://www.climatecorp.com/pool.htm

[mediaman007]

4. He'll probably be Carlyle's point man on this!