Image source: WWF

A US-led Asia-Pacific regional energy pact, expected to be announced Thursday, offers no alternative to binding caps on pollution levels, says WWF.

WWF warns that such a pact between the US, Australia, China, India and South Korea, which is designed to combat greenhouse gas emissions by developing environmentally friendly energy technology, cannot be seen as an alternative to the Kyoto Protocol.

While WWF does encourage countries to work together on technological developments, it notes that the most effective way to reduce emissions globally is for the world to work together under one agreement rather than multiple plans and agreements.

This is why the Kyoto Protocol, based on binding caps on emissions, is the first effective treaty to counteract global warming. There are 152 nations signed-up to the Protocol, excepting the US and Australia.