Schwarzenegger conferred Sustainable Develpment Leadership Award

New Delhi, Jan 24 (UNI) While the Bush Administration is reluctant to admit the severity of climate change happening due to global warming, international accolades continue to flow towards his Republican Governor of California Arnold Schwarzenneger for his efforts to cut down emission of greenhouse gases.

Schwarzenegger was today conferred the Sustainable Development Leadership Award at the Seventh Delhi Sustainable Summit, an international conclave of experts and policy makers, that concluded here today.

The award was given away by Minister of State for Commerce Jairam Ramesh and received on the governor's behalf by Dr Alan Lloyd, former secretary of California Environmental Protection Agency.

''I am honoured to receive this prestigious award recognising the work we are doing in California to fight climate change,'' said Schwarzenegger in a message from his state.

''There are many environmental heroes in the world today and I am proud to stand alongside them in promoting policies that protect and sustain our natural resources. California has a long history of environmental leadership and we are hopeful that other states and nations will follow our lead to develop long-term solutions that promote stronger economy and a healthier environment,'' he said.

According to TERI, which organises the summit, Schwarzenegger was selected for this award for his leadership in reducing greenhouse gas emissions by signing the Global Warming Solutions Act of 2006.

Previous winners include former Mexican President Ernesto Zedillo and Toyota Motor Company Hony chairman Dr Shoichdro Toyota.

UNI