EU's Barroso sees U.S., China progress on climate

BRUSSELS, Feb 7 (Reuters) The United States and China will play a more active role with the European Union in fighting climate change, Jose Manuel Barroso, president of the EU's executive body, said.

Arguments over the cause of climate change have moved on since a key report last week, he said yesterday.

''The question now is not about whether it exists. It's for real. The deterioration of the atompshere is due largely to human activity,'' Barroso told the European Parliament.

A United Nations panel said last week that mankind is to blame for global warming, and predicted more droughts, heatwaves and a slow rise in sea levels that could continue for more than 1,000 years even if greenhouse gas emissions were capped.

The EU was already leading the way in seeking cuts in emissions, Barroso said.

''You have to lead but we want others also to lead,'' he said.

Climate change will be a top issue at an EU-U.S. summit later this year.

''I believe the Americans will change. We believe they are now more receptive than ever for a more ambitious policy for climate change,'' Barroso said.

The U.N.'s Kyoto Protocol, which binds 35 industrial nationas to cut emissions by 2012, has been weakened since the United States pulled out in 2001.

China has not signed the protocol but Barroso expected the country to also make progress on climate change.

''China will move. This I can promise you,'' Barroso said.

''During our next summit (with China) we can expect some progress. The Chinese understand very clearly there are serious challenges for their own enviroment,'' he added.

Barroso said the battle against climate change was key to winning public backing for the EU overall.

''The way to get more support for the European project is to show to our young people that we are really committed to fighting climate change,'' Barroso said.

REUTERS RL KP0940