The United States has taken the first step to imposing mandatory cuts in greenhouse gases to combat climate change.
The global warming sub-committee of the Senate proposed legislation that would aim to cut America's output of greenhouse gases by 15 per cent by 2020.
The European Union aims to cut 20 per cent in the same time.
Under the bill's plans, polluters in the US who exceed the limits would be allowed to buy "credits" from companies who emit less than their allowance.
Senator Joe Liberman, who chairs the committee, said the vote was "potentially a landmark event, the moment at which the United States finally began a serious fight against the threat of unchecked global warming."
The proposed bill is expected to pass through the legislative process, enjoying support from Republicans and Democrats at a time when climate change is becoming an increasing concern across America.
However, it remains unclear how the president would react to such a bill. While recently acknowledging climate change as a concern, the Bush administration still maintains that the American economy should not be affected by measures to combat its threat.
"The most likely scenario is that the president would veto the bill given his record but given the rapid shift in public opinion on this issue, I think there is a glimmer of hope," said Angela Anderson, of the National Environmental Trust.
Philip Clapp, the group's president, added: "This vote was a clear sign that [George W Bush's] 'just say no' policy on global warming has reached the end of its useful political life."
www.telegraph.co.uk
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