Blair calls for realism.

TONY Blair has urged countries to agree a radical but realistic deal to cut global greenhouse emissions.

Speaking at the Masdar world future energy summit in Abu Dhabi, the former prime minister said leaders should not set aside measures to tackle climate change in the current economic situation.

Mr Blair said countries should tackle both crises simultaneously, stimulating economic growth by investing in renewable energy and energy efficiency.

He said the world had to eliminate its dependence on carbon and warned: "Without a global agreement, the task cannot be done.

"We cannot wait for things to take their course. We must change course to do it, do it together and do it now."

Mr Blair said that while a new treaty on reducing emissions should be radical, with interim targets for 2020 that give business a clear signal to move towards a low-carbon economy, it must also be realistic.

Welcoming Barack Obama as the new US president, he warned: "There is no point demanding of President Obama something he cannot deliver. Instead let us help him deliver what he can."

Mr Obama has made his intent to tackle climate change clear, but the US has lagged behind other developed countries in efforts to cut emissions.