CBI deputy director-general John Cridland said that none of the other EU countries had so far announced their emission allocations, or said how these will meet Kyoto commitments.

The UK is the only member state pledging to go beyond its Kyoto commitment, he said.

British business was already demonstrating that it was taking the threat of climate change seriously, he said.

The main concern was that the UK was making too large a commitment if other countries fail to deliver.