The US Supreme Court has said that it will consider whether or not the country should introduce measures limiting the amount of carbon dioxide in an attempt to tackle climate change.

It could put president George W. Bush under pressure to take tougher action on the country's carbon dioxide emissions, which contribute to global warming.

Supreme Court judges were asked to consider the issue by a number of states and environmental groups, who argue that carbon dioxide gas is a pollutant under US clean air rules.

The government's current position is that carbon dioxide is not covered by existing legislation and that the Environmental Protection Agency is under no obligation to regulate its output.

The appeal to the Supreme Court comes after a lower court ruled in favour of the government's position, although the court was divided on the verdict.

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