Countries can make massive cost savings and create millions of jobs by signing up to global climate change initiatives, a new report backed by Tony Blair will argue today.
The former prime minister will present a paper to United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon calling on world leaders to work together to counter the effects of global warming.
The report, titled Cutting the Cost, will focus on the economic advantages of a global response to rising temperatures caused by the growth in greenhouse gas emissions.
Analysis in the report shows that an international global deal over climate change could create as many as 10million jobs in green energy by 2020.
It also argues that advantages in terms of economic growth more than compensate the outlay in green stimulus packages implemented by western governments in recent months.
The report, part of the ongoing Breaking the Climate Deadlock Initiatives, found adopting ambitious worldwide plans to cut pollutants could lead to a 15-fold reduction in carbon price.
In addition it could encourage economic growth in developing countries, it is claimed.
Mr Blair said: “Forging and implementing a global deal will not be easy but world leaders can be confident that reaching a deal is both achievable and consistent with their measures to promote economic recovery.”
He added: “In fact, though of course an economic as well as political challenge, if crafted right, an ambitious global deal can create millions of jobs and be a key part of this recovery.”
In a foreword to the report, Mr Blair attempts to head off criticism of the proposals.
He states: “Some may choose to quibble about the exact numbers in the analysis, while others may argue that the policy scenarios used are unrealistic.
“This misses the point. Our objective is not to prescribe the targets and timetables that should be adopted: that is the job of scientists and governments.”
He continued: “The overall message is clear: even ignoring the costs of climate change itself, the world benefits economically from action to cut emissions.”
The report comes as world leaders gather in New York for a UN summit on climate change, aimed at building political momentum towards achieving a new deal on cutting global emissions at crunch talks in Copenhagen in December.
Scientists and environmental, and aid groups are calling for an ambitious deal to slash output of the greenhouse gases which cause climate change, but with fewer than 80 days to go before the Copenhagen summit talks there are fears not enough progress is being made to reach agreement on a new treaty.
Mr Blair said it was essential that talks in Copenhagen towards the end of the year result in a deal.
Asked in New York if the new US administration had changed the dynamics in terms of trying to hammer out a global deal, Mr Blair replied: “Yes,” adding: “Obviously the Obama administration has taken a very upfront position on climate change, which I welcome. America and China are critical to a deal.”
Mr Blair added: “All the major players have got to be committed and signed up.”