The conference was proposed by German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder at the Earth Summit in Johannesburg last September.

European diplomats said the meeting will be open to governments, businesses and non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and will be preceded by regional conferences in Europe, Asia, Africa and Latin America.

The G8 comprises Britain, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Russia and the United States, plus the European Commission.

The Earth Summit was marked by a row between the United States and the European Union (EU) over whether its final documents should set targets for boosting the share of renewable sources in the world's energy mix.

In the end, the conservative US view prevailed, leaving the EU countries to launch a separate initiative with other countries.

They pledged, albeit without specific commitments, to work together to promote renewable energy.

Renewable energy comprises solar, wind and wave power, as well as types of dam projects and biomass fuels.

SPACE.WIRE