Gummer: proud of UK record

"The USA lags behind the rest of the world"

Gummer Slams Clinton's "Green" Initiatives

But the Environment Minister Michael Meacher welcomed President Clinton's "green" initiatives announced at the UN Earth Summit in New York. "He is now trying to take on the opposition from the Republicans in Congress and some sections of industrial opinion. I think that's very important in turning it round in the United States. And he did also come up with three very valuable initiatives," Michael Meacher told the BBC.

Tory MP John Gummer criticised President Clinton's speech saying, "It didn't do what we hoped, it didn't rejuvenate the Rio process and the US showed itself to be utterly unprepared to follow what the rest of the world is doing."

Mr Gummer said he was proud of Britain's position on the issue of global warming, and accused the United States of flouting scientific advice by continuing to produce 20% of the world's emissions.

Meacher: praises Clinton's proposals

"President Clinton has failed the world," Mr Gummer told BBC Radio 4's Today programme. "He could have given a very clear indication that the US accepted they would have to reduce on 1990 levels and that he was prepared to go out to the American people and explain what this is all about. Up to now he has hidden it from the American people."

Britain has committed itself to a 15% reduction on 1990 emission levels by 2010. Mr Gummer said Britain should "use all the pressure we can" to convince American to follow suit.

In his speech to the UN, President Clinton announced:

• a pledge of $1 billion in aid over the next five years to help developing countries combat global warming
• plans to provide solar panels to a million American homes by 2010
• proposals to educate Americans on global warming