McCain pledges to combat climate change

By Tim Gaynor

PORTLAND, Oregon (Reuters) - Republican John McCain, differing sharply with President George W. Bush, said on Monday he would pursue mandatory U.S. curbs on greenhouse gas emissions if he wins the White House in November.

The Arizona senator vowed to take the lead in combating global climate change, seek international accords to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and offer an incentive system to make businesses in the United States cleaner.

"The facts of global warming demand our urgent attention, especially in Washington," McCain told an audience at the Vestas Wind Technology plant in Portland, where he signed the blade of a giant wind turbine and chatted with service technicians.

Soon after taking office in 2001, Bush rejected the Kyoto Protocol that sets limits on industrial countries' greenhouse gas emissions.

The Republican president has resisted mandatory limits on greenhouse gas emissions, saying they would hurt the U.S. economy.

'UNITED STATES WILL LEAD'

McCain's speech was aimed at independents and centrist Democrats whose votes he will need in the November election. His break with Bush comes as critics assert his candidacy amounts to little more than a third term for the current president.

"I will not shirk the mantle of leadership that the United States bears. I will not permit eight long years to pass without serious action on serious challenges," McCain said.