Sweden praises Obama's climate change policies

Sweden's environment minister has joined the chorus of European leaders praising President Barack Obama's pledges to fight climate change.

Andreas Carlgren says "it's a different world" compared to the policies of the Bush administration.

Climate change is expected to top Sweden's agenda when it takes over the rotating presidency of the European Union in the second half of the year. The EU hopes a new global climate treaty will be reached at a U.N. summit in December.

Carlgren said Friday he hopes the U.S. will step up its commitment to reduce emissions of heat-trapping greenhouse gases.

The EU has vowed to increase greenhouse emissions cuts by up to 30 percent if the U.S., China, Russia, India and other major polluters follow suit.