Talks between eight emerging economies and the G8 nations have resulted in a "shared vision" on climate change. However, no definite agreements have been announced at the Japanese G8 summit, only a promise to "consider and adopt" a target of at least a 50% cut in carbon emissions by 2050.
While the 16 nations approved a statement on climate, recognising the need for deep cuts in greenhouse gas emissions to fight global warming, they stopped short of urging numerical targets for those reductions.
Japanese Prime Minister, Yasuo Fukuda, said the statement had demonstrated they were serious about tackling climate change. He commented, "It is the first time ever that leaders of the major economies have got down to vigorous discussions on a broad range of climate change related issues, and I believe that the leaders have shown strong political will."
Nevertheless, environmentalists and emerging countries have been scathing of the announcement. A World Wildlife Fund (WWF) Global Climate Initiative spokesman said the statement was "pretty useless." Friends of the Earth's (FoE) international climate campaigner, Tom Picken, accused G8 leaders of an elaborate smokescreen, adding, "Setting a vague target for 42 years' time is utterly ineffectual in the fact of the global catastrophe we all face."
Further, Marthinus van Schalkwyk, South African minister of environmental affairs and tourism, said, "As it is expressed in the G8 statement, the long-term goal is an empty slogan. To be meaningful and credible, a long-term goal must have a base year, it must be implemented by ambitious mid-term targets and actions."
