ASIA-Pacific leaders meeting in Sydney have agreed an "aspirational" goal to restrain the rise of greenhouse gas emissions to tackle climate change.
China and the US - two of the world's biggest polluters - are among the 21 nations that have signed the statement, which at the moment contains no firm commitments.
It has been said by Australian Prime Minister John Howard: "It is a very important milestone" towards an international deal.
Environmentalists said the declaration was symbolic rather than concrete.
The world needs to slow, stop and then reverse the growth of global greenhouse gas emissions.
I think everybody should be serious about addressing this important world issue in a sensible way, compatible with different economic needs, it is the great challenge of climate change.
COUNCILLOR SALIM MULLA, Blackburn.
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