Under the terms of the so-called Kyoto treaty, industrialised nations would cut their heat-trapping emissions by an average of 5.2 percent below 1990 levels in the years 2008-12.

The Clinton administration signed the framework agreement in November 1998, but staunch opposition in the Senate has kept the White House from submitting the treaty for ratification.

Republicans and industrial state Democrats fear sharp emissions cuts will cripple economic growth and give developing countries an advantage.

In his speech, Clinton discounted such fears, saying America's new high-tech economy would not be hurt. "In the Industrial Age that may have been true," he said. "In the digital economy, it isn't."

He said new technologies would make it possible to cut harmful emissions and provide even more economic growth.

As an example, he said automakers unveiled cars last week that get 70 to 80 miles a gallon (45-51 km a litre).

Clinton also said production of new bio-fuels made from crops, corn stalks and trees would provide the equivalent of hundreds of miles of travel from a gallon of gas.

The president will propose in his new budget to more than double the amount of funding for bio-fuels research.

In a related matter, Clinton proposed giving major tax incentives to businesses for producing clean energy and to families for buying energy-saving homes, appliances and super-efficient cars.

The president said he wanted automakers to use available technologies to immediately make all new cars more fuel efficient.