In a keynote opening speech to the annual meeting of the World Economic Forum, Blair placed the emphasis on harnessing science and technology to cut harmful greenhouse gas emissions that are thought to trigger climate change.

"My view is that if we were to put forward, as a solution to climate change something which would involve drastic cuts in economic growth or standards of living, it would not matter how justified it was, it simply wouldn't be agreed to," Blair told the gathering of business and political leaders.

He acknowledged that technology was only one part of the action needed to control climate change, but developing those measures could tackle pollution while helping the economy.

"They provide the prospect of economic opportunities," Blair said, noting that all European nations had signed up to the international Kyoto Protocol on cutting greenhouse gas emissions.

US President George W. Bush has rejected the Kyoto Protocol, partly disputing the scientific evidence on the impact of industry or oil or coal on climate change.

While acknoweldging the divide, the British leader said that the G8 had to send a "clear signal" of unity in cutting down emissions.

That would involve developing and implementing technology-based "practical measures" to cut emissions and finding ways of helping emerging economic giants -- China, India, Brazil and South Africa -- grow as "low carbon" economies.

"Business and the global economy need to know that this isn't an issue that will go away," he told participants in the forum.

Blair also reiterated his pledge to tackle poverty in the year long G8 presidency, promising that it would be based on a partnership with African countries to build good governance and root out corruption.

"The old donor/recipent relationship is patronising and unworkable," he said.

An Africa Commission of 16 experts and ministers, set up by Blair last year to map out development possibilities for the continent, would add new proposals on top of increasing aid and debt relief when it releases its report in March, he promised.

Its findings would be accompanied by proposals to the G8 for a "mechanism to ensure what is agreed is then followed through and acted upon".

Long-standing proposals for an international financing facility could raise 50 billion dollars, including 25 billion dollars for Africa, and would help drive through ailing UN development goals for 2015, Blair added.

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