More action is needed to tackle climate change, a committee of MPs has warned.

The Commons environmental audit committee has criticised government suggestions that new technology and market mechanisms will reduce carbon dioxide emissions

And the European emissions trading scheme also comes under attack in a report published on Sunday.

Britain and the developed world should be seeking to reduce emissions by 60 to 80 per cent by 2050, say the MPs.

"The government chief scientists and Tony Blair have both said that climate change is one of the most serious problems facing mankind, and Tony Blair has rightly put it at the head of his international agenda," chairman Peter Ainsworth told BBC Radio Five Live

"The trouble is that the rhetoric isn't translating into action."

He said that Britain should "set out a list of achievable goals for the world community".

And both America and the developing world should be involved, Ainsworth added.

"The time for talking about this problem is drawing to an end, what we really do need now is a programme for action, and that's what we're trying to impress on the government through this report."

Sue Doughty, a Liberal Democrat committee member, said it was a "damning" report for the government.

"The government stands accused of wilful evasion on climate change. Let's have no more wilful evasion in their response; let's have serious action," she said.

"We need cross party agreement that there is a bottom line on climate change and that whatever government is in place after the election this issue will be at the top of the political agenda.

"The adoption of 'contraction and convergence' is essential if international efforts to combat climate change are to be successful.

"Both politicians and journalists now have a responsibility to ensure the public become familiar with the idea of contraction and convergence and understand why it is vital to preventing a global ecological disaster that would wreck our economy and security."