From correspondents in Kanto, Japan, 08:30 AM IST

Environment ministers from the seven largest industrial nations and Russia met Sunday in Kobe, Japan, to continue the push for a post-Kyoto protocol agreement on climate change.

Environmental groups on the meeting's sidelines were pushing the Japanese hosts to show 'substantial movement' in reaching an agreement to replace the Kyoto accord that is set to expire in 2012.

The Group of Eight (G8) ministers are to release a plan at the end of their discussions Monday on technology transfer to developing countries on waste management.

(Staff Writer, © IANS)