Cut Emissions Now or Pay, UK Tells Climate Talks

A long-awaited study by Stern on the economic effects of combating global warming is due in the coming days.

"He shows that the longer action is delayed, the more expensive it is," British Environment Secretary David Miliband told reporters.

"What he says is that ... it is imperative we take action to prevent further climate change because the economic costs -- never mind the human costs and the costs to the environment -- will far outweigh the costs of mitigation."

The closed-door meeting in Monterrey, Mexico of energy and environment ministers from the world's 20 top greenhouse gas emitting nations including the United States is aimed at continuing dialogue on climate change and comes amid a shift in scientific thinking.

Most experts are now convinced global warming is caused by burning fossil fuels, rather than a natural cyclical phenomenon.

Last year was the warmest year at the Earth's surface since records began in the 1860s, according to NASA, and new estimates suggest temperatures could rise by 3 degrees Celsius this century, triggering floods, droughts and famine.

"ECONOMIC NONSENSE"

The United States, which has withdrawn from the Kyoto accord aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions, participated in the closed-door sessions but did not brief reporters.

British Foreign Secretary Margaret Beckett said climate change could spell crisis for the developing world as people fight over fresh water and crops, noting the conflict in Darfur is partly rooted in competition for farmland and water.

Experts predict an exodus of millions from low-lying countries like Bangladesh if sea levels rise by just three feet (a metre).

Beckett, a former environment minister, said putting off action to cut emissions and pursue green energy sources was "economic nonsense."

Economists are divided over the benefits of preemptively tackling climate change, with some saying the cost of taking a slower approach would be insignificant. Some predict higher farming yields in cold countries could offset damage elsewhere.

Many developing countries want industrialized nations to make deeper cuts before they consider curbing emissions from their own factories, power plants and cars.

Yet emissions from emerging giants like China, India and Russia, all represented in Monterrey, will soon catch up with the United States, the world's No. 1 polluter. China currently builds a new coal-fired power plant every few days.

Among proposals being mooted by developing governments are burying greenhouse gases like carbon dioxide deep underground and taxing consumers who use too much energy.