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G8 aims to halve greenhouse gases G8 aims to halve greenhouse gases
(about 1 hour 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. Japanese 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.
The price of crude oil has doubled since the last G8 summit, with highs of more than $146 (£72) a barrel.The price of crude oil has doubled since the last G8 summit, with highs of more than $146 (£72) a barrel.
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.
The G8 has also issued statements on several key issues:
  • Aid and development: Commitment to fulfil pledge to raise annual aid levels by $50bn by 2010, of which $25bn is intended for Africa
  • Global food prices: Call for countries with sufficient food stocks to release reserves to others struggling to cope with rising costs
  • Biofuels: Pledge to ensure biofuel policies are compatible with food security
  • Global economy: Despite serious concerns of further risks, globalisation is a positive force that offers great opportunities
    • '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 protests href="/1/hi/sci/tech/7494891.stm">Failure to set climate world alight class="" href="/1/hi/world/africa/7489993.stm">G8 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 interim goals and national plans to achieve their aim.It also acknowledges that to make progress, G8 countries have to take the lead through ambitious interim 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 Minister 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 African 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 is 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. Other big polluters, including China and India, will join the meeting on Wednesday. Japan's prime minister said he would press them to co-operate.
    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 African 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... meeting the challenges of climate change."
    The environmental group WWF said the target date of 2050 was insufficient and the lack of progress "pathetic". Summit sidelines
    One lobby group present in Hokkaido, the Tear Fund, said the announcement was disappointing. The global environmental group WWF said the target date of 2050 was insufficient and the lack of progress "pathetic".
    One lobby group present in Hokkaido, 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.
    In their first face-to-face meeting, on the summit's sidelines, Russian President Dmitry Medvedev told Britain's Prime Minister, Gordon Brown, that he wanted to normalise ties, which are at their lowest since the Cold War. In their first face-to-face meeting, on the summit's sidelines, Russian President Dmitry Medvedev told Britain's Prime Minister, Gordon Brown, that he wanted to normalise ties, which are at their lowest ebb since the Cold War.
    It comes as a senior British security official told the BBC that there were "very strong indications" that the poisoning in London two years ago of the former Russian intelligence officer, Alexander Litvinenko, was backed by the state. The meeting came as a senior British security official told the BBC that there were "very strong indications" that the poisoning in London two years ago of the former Russian intelligence officer, Alexander Litvinenko, was backed by the state.
    Relations between the two countries soured after Russia refused to extradite former KGB agent, Andrei Lugovoi, whom Britain accuses of carrying out the poisoning.Relations between the two countries soured after Russia refused to extradite former KGB agent, Andrei Lugovoi, whom Britain accuses of carrying out the poisoning.