The European Commission's environment minister has delivered a keynote speech at the Finnish Institute of International Affairs calling on emerging countries to join the battle against greenhouse gas emissions.

Citing the growing number of climate-related natural disasters and the pressing urgency for change, Stavros Dimas said it was necessary to prevent the "harshest predicted impacts of climate change from becoming reality".

He targeted 2025 as the date by which global emissions must peak and went on to discuss how all the world's counties could help to make this achievable.

"The EU cannot do this alone of course. Our share of global emissions is 14 per cent and falling," he said.

"The European Commission therefore attaches a very high priority to ensuring that the broadest possible group of major emitting nations takes action. This needs to include the big developing countries like China and India whose emissions are rising especially fast."

Mr Dimas' comments follow suggestions from the government this week that car makers may face mandatory limits for carbon dioxide emissions.

Transport secretary Alistair Darling has said the existing voluntary scheme, which is due to end in 2008, needs to be stepped up.


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