Voynet said ministers in Brussels had established the fundamental points on which the EU would negotiate at The Hague and how far they might go in accommodating the positions of other countries. The Unites States wants no limit on flexible mechanisms and a wide use of sinks. Environment Commission Margot Wallstrom said recent floods in Britain, France, Spain and Italy had raised public awareness about changes in weather patterns and meant European politicians were under extra public pressure to succeed at The Hague. We will put it to the test if we can live up to our commitments on sustainable development and reducing greenhouse gas emissions. The floods in Britain should focus governments' minds at The Hague meeting, Britain's deputy prime minister John Prescott said.
Some scientists still doubt the impact human activity has on the world's climate.
But Prescott told reporters there was enough evidence to justify action to reduce emissions of gases such as carbon dioxide which contribute to the greenhouse effect.