Group of Eight energy ministers pledged Monday to "contribute to the success" of a crucial UN summit on the environment at the end of the year and to promote the use of clean energy.
"We intend to contribute to the success of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change process and to the Copenhagen Conference at the end of 2009," the ministers said following a two-day meeting in Rome.
"We are committed to promoting the economic recovery, accelerating the transition towards low-carbon, energy-efficient development while… adressing energy poverty," they said in a final declaration.
"We recognize the need to foster investments in energy efficiency, infrastructures, diversification and technological innovation as a means towards affordable, safe and sustainable energy to meet long-term world needs and combat energy poverty," the ministers said.
The G8 club of rich nations groups Italy with Britain, Canada, France, Germany, Japan, Russia and the United States.
"In the opinion of a growing number of countries, the use of nuclear power can diversify the energy mix, contribute to energy security while reducing greenhouse gas emissions," the statement said.
"We reaffirm the fundamental prerequisite for the peaceful use of nuclear energy."
US Energy Secretary Steven Chu called at a closing news conference for a "second industrial revolution… to allow developing countries to continue developing and allow developed countries to contain their carbon footprint."
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