New agreement on global climate

Delegates attending the meeting agreed that developing countries would face goals to cut greenhouse gas emissions, like rich countries. The informal meeting also agreed that a global market should be formed to limit and trade carbon dioxide emissions.

US presidential candidate John McCain said the debate on climate change has ended (Photo: AP)

The unofficial statement is considered a vital document, replacing the Kyoto Treaty, reporters said. Claiming to close the forum said " no doubt ", climate change is caused by humans.

"Climate change is a global issue and we all have a responsibility to act in accordance with our historical capabilities and responsibilities," the statement of the Organization of Global Legislators on the Environmental Balance (Globe).

Change awareness

The two-day session attracted the participation of legislators from many different countries, including the eight rich G8 countries, Brazil, China, India, Mexico and South Africa.

BBC environmental affairs analyst Roger Harrabin, present at the meeting, said although the statement was not officially binding, it showed a real change in ways of thinking of countries.

Legislators agree that developing countries also face greenhouse gas reduction targets in the same way that rich countries are doing. They announced that they wanted the document to be officially adopted in 2009, replacing the Treaty of Kyoto that would expire in 2012.

US Senator Joe Lieberman envisions that the US Congress will issue the law on emission reduction by the end of last year at the latest, most likely this year.