Melbourne: In an effort to restore order to his labour party's chaotic climate change policy, Kevin Rudd has said his party will not ratify the new round of Kyoto plans unless developing nations signed binding agreements.

"I have made absolutely clear that we would need to see clear-cut commitments from the major emitters from the developing world for us to become party to that agreement," Rudd, also the Australian opposition leader, said.

Rudd's climate change policies were thrown into disarray on Monday when Peter Garrett said it would not be a "deal breaker" for a Labour government if developing nations, such as China, did not accept binding targets to cut greenhouse gas emissions.

After Garrett's statements, Rudd unveiled his renewable-energy target to deflect attention from the Kyoto debate, The Australian newspaper reported today. Prime Minister John Howard had changed his stance to support different arrangements for developed nations and the developing world, Rudd told ABC media channel.

"Howard, I've got to say for the first time ... Is now prepared to accept different standards for developing and developed countries into the future. I haven't heard that from him before," he said.

However, the Sydney Declaration at APEC, forged by the Prime Minister in September, made it clear a climate deal would take into account differences in national circumstances, including separate targets for developing nations. Howard, who accused Garrett of undermining Australia's interests and threatening jobs, said Rudd had capitulated on policy and humiliated his environment spokesman.

Source : PTI