The decision by US President Mr George W. Bush to reject the 1997 Kyoto treaty aimed at fighting global warming has sparked international protest.
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President George W. Bush
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The European Union said it was very worried by the US decision, Japan urged Washington to reconsider and Australia reminded the US that as world's most voracious resources consumer it had a responsibility to cut global emissions of greenhouse gases.
In the Pacific Ocean, island states already suffering devastation due to rising sea levels and storms and droughts said their very survival was at stake.
The EU Environment Commissioner, Ms Margot Wallstrom, said in a statement: "The EU is willing to discuss details and problems - but not scrap the whole protocol."
Japan, the world's second-largest economy, urged Mr Bush to reconsider. New Zealand said it shared the grave concern and disappointment of other countries.
But White House spokesman Mr Ari Fleischer said last night President Bush had been unequivocal.
"He does not support the Kyoto treaty. It is not in the United States' economic best interest," said Mr Fleischer. He said Mr Bush opposed Kyoto because it does not bind developing nations to curb emissions and he believes the costs outweigh the benefits.
The UN pact was signed in Kyoto, Japan, by former US President Mr Bill Clinton and leaders of other industrialised countries, but it has not been ratified by the US Senate.
Under the treaty, the major powers agreed to cut greenhouse gas emissions, which come mainly from burning coal and oil, by an average of 5.2 per cent below 1990 levels by 2012.