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Monday, 2 September, 2002, 19:33 GMT 20:33 UK

Summit deal cut on renewable energy

Governments at the World Summit on Sustainable Development in Johannesburg have reached agreement on renewable energy sources, delegates to the summit have said.

The text calls on all countries to "substantially increase" the global share of renewable energy but fails to set any target percentages or dates.

The agreement is a crucial step on the way to developing a common position for a final overall declaration which delegates hope to sign at the end of the summit on Wednesday.

1. Nearly 80% of energy comes from fossil fuels (oil 35%, coal 23.5% gas 20.7%)

2. Nuclear 6.8%
3. Hydropower 2.3%
4. Waste and renewable combustibles 11.1%
5.Others 0.5%

The European Union had been pushing for the share of renewables in global energy use to be raised from 14% to 15% by 2010 but the United States and other oil-producing nations opposed this.

But a spokesman for the environmentalist group Greenpeace, Steve Sawyer, said the agreement was "worse than we could have imagined".

Discussions are still stuck on a clause in the document referring to the provision of health services.

The US and some of the more conservative countries have opposed any wording which could be seen to support the provision of family planning services - and in particular safe abortion - to poorer women in developing countries.

Call for action

South African President Thabo Mbeki had opened the final phase of the summit by urging leaders to take firm action on poverty and the environment.

He appealed to delegates to "set concrete goals and targets" to help developing countries and protect the planet.

"Nothing, whatsoever, can justify any failure on our part to respond to this expectation," he said.

After Mr Mbeki spoke, world leaders took to the podium to deliver five-minute addresses.

Zimbabwe's President Robert Mugabe used the opportunity to launch a stinging attack on UK Prime Minister Tony Blair, defending his controversial land reform policies.

He told the British leader: "Keep your England and let me keep my Zimbabwe."


Related to this story:
Summit launch for new aid schemes (29 Aug 02 | Africa) Defiant Mugabe attacks Blair (02 Sep 02 | Africa) Summit agreements and sticking points (02 Sep 02 | Africa) World summit in quotes (02 Sep 02 | Africa)


Internet links: World Summit on Sustainable Development
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