Tony Blair wants climate change talks to focus on established technologies

His intervention comes on the back of a new report, 'Technology For A Low Carbon Future’, just days before President Obama is due to chair a meeting of the Major Economies Forum in Italy as a preliminary to the UN climate talks in Copenhagen in December.

The report, which Blair has published jointly with the Climate Group, suggests that 70 per cent of the greenhouse gas emission reductions needed by 2020 can be achieved by investing in energy efficiency and reducing deforestation.

It claims 38 per cent of the cuts could come from the power sector alone, with 26 per cent from a switch to low carbon cars, 19 percent from increased efficiencies in the manufacturing sector and 17 per cent from more energy efficient buildings.

What is more, all of these reductions can be delivered by just seven existing policies that are already being successfully implemented in different parts of the world – they just need scaling up, the report says.

In other words, the major economies can have no justification for delaying action on climate change.

Although the report is clear that in the short term it makes sense to concentrate on established technologies, it also says that in order to drive down emissions through to the middle of the century, it will be necessary to invest in “next generation technologies” such as carbon capture and storage, new approaches to nuclear and solar, and emerging biotech-based solutions.

"This report shows how major reductions even by 2020 are achievable if we focus action on certain key technologies, deploy policies that have been proven to work, and invest now for the development of those future technologies that will take time to mature,” said Tony Blair.

“We can set the world on a new path to a low carbon future; the Major Economies Forum is able to put in place a framework for a successful global accord in Copenhagen in December."

Steve Howard, ceo of The Climate Group, which works internationally with business leaders to accelerate a low carbon economy, added: “Many businesses are already leading the way by investing in innovative and exciting clean technologies – including solar power, electric vehicles and smart buildings – that cut emissions, help growth and create jobs.

“Politicians must now match this leadership by agreeing challenging targets that provide a clear framework for transformational investment in the low carbon economy.”

The Technology For A Low Carbon Future report is part of the 'Breaking the Climate Deadlock' launched by Blair and the Climate Group in 2008. Its objective is to help build high-level political and business support in key countries for a new and ambitious post-2012 climate change agreement.