Environment minister Michael Meacher is set to represent the UK at a two-day meeting of G8 environment ministers in Trieste.

Differences over the issue of climate change between the US and Europe are expected to dominate the meeting of ministers from the USA, Russia, Japan, UK, Canada, Germany, France and Italy.

The meeting will be first opportunity for ministers to gauge the commitment of the US administration on key environment issues - not least the issue of the Kyoto protocols to limit global warming. It is also a key preparation for the July G8 heads of state summit with president Bush in Genoa, Italy.

US president George W Bush's hostility to the protocols is on record and America was blamed for the stalemate at the COP6 climate change talks in The Hague last November. Substantive negotiations are expected to open again in Bonn in July.

So far the Bush administration is sending mixed messages on the environment and has as yet to appoint a key figure in the administration to an environmental brief. Instead, for the G8 meeting the US will be represented by Environmental Protection Agency chief, Christie Whitman.

On Tuesday, Whitman welcomed a $56 million increase in the agency's budget to a total of $7.3 billion. "The core of EPA's regulatory, research and enforcement activities is in its operating program, which is funded at $3.7 billion, the second highest level in EPA history. Enforcement and environmental protection take place primarily under this program," she said.

Speaking ahead of the meeting Whitman outlined the priorities facing the G8 environment summit. "The principal discussions will be on the status of climate change negotiations, environmental and health issues, especially those related to impacts on children, and sustainable development, including groundwork for the UN world summit on this issue to be held in South Africa next year," she said.

Playing down the conflicts that dogged COP6 negotiations Whitman said: "I'm looking forward to engaging in these significant discussions."

Whitman is also holding private meetings with the EU environment commissioner, Margot Wallstrom, and Michael Meacher.