THE Confederation of British Industry has issued a two-page statement on climate change in which it calls for a close and continuing dialogue with the Government to identify actions to combat the long term threat of climate change which take account of the needs of businesses competing in the global market.

The CBI, which says it will further develop its position this year, has called for a number of initiatives including:

Adair Turner, director-general of the CBI, has written to Environment Secretary John Gummer expressing doubts about new European-wide emissions targets being proposed by the Dutch presidency of the European Union. Turner said: 'Agreement of new UK targets and the policies and measures required to meet them need to be discussed with business.'