By Andrew Ward in Washington

Published: May 31 2007

President George W. Bush on Thursday committed the US for the first time to take part in negotiations on a successor to the Kyoto treaty and agreed to set goals for the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions.

The decision appeared to mark a landmark break by Washington from its longstanding opposition to global limits on carbon emissions, although the US plans still fall short of some European demands.

A senior US administration official said Mr Bush would announce the new position in a speech in Washington on Thursday morning.

Mr Bush was expected to pledge to work with several other large economies, including China and India, to agree a “long-term goal” for reduction in emissions, together with strategies for achieving the target, within 18 months – before he leaves office in January 2009.

The official said the US would seek to convene a conference to set the process in motion, possibly as early as this autumn.

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