India, China sign deal to stabilise greenhouse gases

SINGAPORE, Nov 21 (Reuters) Leaders of Asian countries, including top polluters India and China, today signed an agreement that aims to stabilise greenhouses gas emissions.

According to a copy of the final text obtained by Reuters, the 16 nations of the East Asia Summit ''commit to the common goal of stabilising atmospheric greenhouse gas concentrations in the long run, at a level that would prevent dangerous anthropogenic interference with the climate system''.

The EAS countries -- which include 10 Southeast Asian nations plus China, India, Japan, South Korea, Australia and New Zealand -- also agreed that ''all countries should play a role in addressing the common challenge of climate change, based on the principles of common but differentiated responsibilities and respective capabilities; and that developed countries should continue to play a leading role in this regard''.

REUTERS RJ ND1550