"We cannot discuss energy security while standing still on climate change," Chirac told the leaders of Britain, Canada, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United States and Russia at their summit in Saint Petersburg.

"Humanity is dancing on a volcano."

Chirac described the Kyoto Protocol, which took effect in February last year, as "only a first step".

"I regret that the United States is not taking part. But all the others must stick to their commitments."

US President George W. Bush rejected the draft Kyoto treaty in 2001 on grounds that its binding commitments on reducing carbon dioxide emissions would be too costly for the US economy.

Chirac's remarks were seen as targeting Canada, where the new conservative government has shown itself to be skeptical toward the Kyoto Protocol.

Kyoto signatories have committed themselves to limiting their earth-warming greenhouse gas emissions, which are the byproducts of burning oil, gas and coal, by 5.2 percent from 1990 levels by 2012.

Chirac on Sunday called for "constructive talks" on the situation after 2012.

"Our goal must be an ambitious accord that commits us all, along with emerging market countries, to objectives equal to the threat that is weighing on humanity," he said.

The G8 leaders issued a statement Sunday affirming their willingness "to work to reduce greenhouse gas and deal effectively with the challenge of climate change."

"Those of us committed to making the Kyoto Protocol a success underline the importance we attach to it ... and look forward to the process to develop it further," they said.

The environment figured prominently at the last G8 summit a year ago in Gleneagles, Scotland, where participants declared climate change a serious and long-term challenge.

"We know that increased need and use of energy from fossil fuels, and other human activities, contribute in large part to increases in greenhouse gases associated with the warming of our Earth's surface," they said in a statement at the time.

That declaration was issued along with a "Gleneagles Plan of Action" for combatting global warming and promoting clean energy. The two documents marked the G8's clearest acknowledgement to date of the cause and scale of global warming.

But they also fell far short of demands from scientists and green groups who had lobbied for a deadline and a target for cuts in the use fossil-fuel gases.

In their latest statement Sunday, the G8 leaders reaffirmed determination "to deliver on commitments made in Gleneagles in order to meet our shared and multiple objectives of reducing greenhouse gas emissions."

Source:Space Daily