But his speech did little to allay criticisms from participants and environmentalists who were skeptical that the climate session Bush convened at the State Department would help advance crucial U.N. talks in Bali, Indonesia in December.
" Our nations have an opportunity to leave the debates of the past behind and reach a consensus on the way forward and that's our purpose today," Bush said to an audience that included delegates from many European countries as well as fast-growing developing countries such as China and India.
However, as Bush continued to emphasize voluntary approaches and the use of new technology to address climate change -- rather than the firm targets pushed by many European countries -- John Ashton, Britain's climate envoy, said Bush remained " isolated" on international climate discussions.
" I think that the argument that we can do this through voluntary approaches is now pretty much discredited internationally," Ashton said.
" I don't think anything has changed fundamentally as a result of the events in Washington here over the last couple of days," he added.
Reuters
