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G8 aims to halve greenhouse gases G8 aims to halve greenhouse gases
(20 minutes later)
World leaders say they will aim to set a global target of cutting carbon emissions by at least 50% by 2050 in an effort to tackle global warming.World leaders say they will aim to set a global target of cutting carbon emissions by at least 50% by 2050 in an effort to tackle global warming.
Japan's Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda, who is hosting a summit of the Group of Eight most industrialised nations, made the announcement after all-night talks.Japan's Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda, who is hosting a summit of the Group of Eight most industrialised nations, made the announcement after all-night talks.
It strengthens last year's G8 pledge to "seriously consider" the cuts.It strengthens last year's G8 pledge to "seriously consider" the cuts.
The leaders have also expressed serious concerns about the threat posed to the global economy by soaring oil prices.The leaders have also expressed serious concerns about the threat posed to the global economy by soaring oil prices.
In their annual assessment of the global economy, the leaders said they remained positive about the long-term resilience of their economies, so long as countries resisted the introduction of trade barriers.In their annual assessment of the global economy, the leaders said they remained positive about the long-term resilience of their economies, so long as countries resisted the introduction of trade barriers.
The BBC's Bridget Kendall, who is at the summit, says no explanation was offered for the underlying causes of high oil and food prices, nor concrete solutions given on how to lower them.The BBC's Bridget Kendall, who is at the summit, says no explanation was offered for the underlying causes of high oil and food prices, nor concrete solutions given on how to lower them.
'Progress''Progress'
The summit is taking place in Toyako, on the Japanese island of Hokkaido.The summit is taking place in Toyako, on the Japanese island of Hokkaido.
Leaders from the G8 nations - Britain, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Russia and the United States - are being joined by counterparts from some 15 other countries.Leaders from the G8 nations - Britain, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Russia and the United States - are being joined by counterparts from some 15 other countries.
G8 summit: The key issuesJapanese island locks downIn pictures: G8 protestsG8 summit: The key issuesJapanese island locks downIn pictures: G8 protests
The G8 statement repeats the leaders' common vision to reach the target of cutting emissions by at least 50% by 2050 - but adds that they hope to bring on board the nearly 200 other UN member states who have signed up to the climate change convention.The G8 statement repeats the leaders' common vision to reach the target of cutting emissions by at least 50% by 2050 - but adds that they hope to bring on board the nearly 200 other UN member states who have signed up to the climate change convention.
It also acknowledges that to make progress, G8 countries have to take the lead through ambitious mid-term goals and national plans to achieve their aim.It also acknowledges that to make progress, G8 countries have to take the lead through ambitious mid-term goals and national plans to achieve their aim.
The document also meets US concern that real progress only makes sense if it is global.The document also meets US concern that real progress only makes sense if it is global.
Climate change has been one of the stickiest issues tackled by the G8 leaders, with divisions over what targets should be set and what would be expected of developing countries.Climate change has been one of the stickiest issues tackled by the G8 leaders, with divisions over what targets should be set and what would be expected of developing countries.
'No guarantees''No guarantees'
An unnamed US official said the agreement represented "substantial progress".An unnamed US official said the agreement represented "substantial progress".
The BBC website's environment correspondent, Richard Black, says the US has moved a certain amount by agreeing that a long-term concrete target is desirable.The BBC website's environment correspondent, Richard Black, says the US has moved a certain amount by agreeing that a long-term concrete target is desirable.
While the statement may appear as a movement forward, we are concerned that it may, in effect, be a regression from what is required to... meeting the challenges of climate change Marthinus van SchalkwykSouth Africa Environment MinisterWhile the statement may appear as a movement forward, we are concerned that it may, in effect, be a regression from what is required to... meeting the challenges of climate change Marthinus van SchalkwykSouth Africa Environment Minister
But, he says, the deal shows much less ambition than many climate scientists and environmental groups would want, in particular by avoiding setting short-term targets.But, he says, the deal shows much less ambition than many climate scientists and environmental groups would want, in particular by avoiding setting short-term targets.
The statement also implies that G8 members will adopt the 50% figure only if major developing economies agree to some concrete action, and it's by no means certain that they will, our correspondent says.The statement also implies that G8 members will adopt the 50% figure only if major developing economies agree to some concrete action, and it's by no means certain that they will, our correspondent says.
The Japanese prime minister said he would call for the co-operation of China and India in cutting emissions when they join the meeting on Wednesday.The Japanese prime minister said he would call for the co-operation of China and India in cutting emissions when they join the meeting on Wednesday.
South Africa's Environment Minister Marthinus van Schalkwyk rejected the deal, which he said set a "vision" but no firm targets to achieve sufficient cuts in carbon emissions.South Africa's Environment Minister Marthinus van Schalkwyk rejected the deal, which he said set a "vision" but no firm targets to achieve sufficient cuts in carbon emissions.
He said: "While the statement may appear as a movement forward, we are concerned that it may, in effect, be a regression from what is required to make a meaningful contribution to meeting the challenges of climate change."He said: "While the statement may appear as a movement forward, we are concerned that it may, in effect, be a regression from what is required to make a meaningful contribution to meeting the challenges of climate change."
The environmental group WWF said the target date of 2050 was insufficient and the lack of progress "pathetic".The environmental group WWF said the target date of 2050 was insufficient and the lack of progress "pathetic".
One lobby group present in Hokkaido, the Tear Fund, said the announcement was disappointing.One lobby group present in Hokkaido, the Tear Fund, said the announcement was disappointing.
The summit is also expected to release a statement on the elections in Zimbabwe, which President George W Bush on Monday described as a sham.The summit is also expected to release a statement on the elections in Zimbabwe, which President George W Bush on Monday described as a sham.