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G8 set new global warming targets | G8 set new global warming targets |
(41 minutes later) | |
Leaders of the G8 leading industrial countries have agreed to try to limit global warming to just 2C (3.6F) above pre-industrial levels by 2050. | Leaders of the G8 leading industrial countries have agreed to try to limit global warming to just 2C (3.6F) above pre-industrial levels by 2050. |
The summit, in the earthquake-hit Italian city of L'Aquila, also agreed tough new carbon emissions cuts. | The summit, in the earthquake-hit Italian city of L'Aquila, also agreed tough new carbon emissions cuts. |
It says developed nations should cut carbon emissions by 80% by 2050, with the rest of the world making a 50% reduction by the same date. | It says developed nations should cut carbon emissions by 80% by 2050, with the rest of the world making a 50% reduction by the same date. |
Analysts say there is no indication of how the targets, or costs, will be met. | Analysts say there is no indication of how the targets, or costs, will be met. |
The summit agenda is also expected to include food security, North Korea and Iran. | The summit agenda is also expected to include food security, North Korea and Iran. |
UK Prime Minister Gordon Brown said he was confident that other non-G8 countries would back the commitments when climate change was discussed on Thursday under the chairmanship of US President Barack Obama. | UK Prime Minister Gordon Brown said he was confident that other non-G8 countries would back the commitments when climate change was discussed on Thursday under the chairmanship of US President Barack Obama. |
G8 KEY ISSUES/TIMETABLE WEDNESDAY: Economy1045 GMT - leaders arrive in L'Aquila1100 GMT - first session | |
THURSDAY: Climate ChangeBrazil, China, India, Mexico, South Africa, Egypt join talks1230 GMT - Junior G81300 GMT - Major Economies Forum meetingFRIDAY: International Development0630 GMT - crisis' impact on Africa with African leaders attending0830 GMT - food security1100 GMT - final news conferenceG8 members: Britain, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Russia, US At a glance: summit agenda Mr Berlusconi's G8 Party Chaos and caring amid the politics | |
Mr Brown said the G8 deal paved the way for a global agreement at the UN conference in Copenhagen in December. | |
"These are long term commitments," he said. "I hope tomorrow when we meet other countries we'll follow that through and this is a very significant development, the first time it's ever been done". | |
On the global economy, an official communique said the G8 noted "some signs of stabilisation" but that the outlook remained uncertain, with "significant risks". | |
"We will take, individually and collectively, the necessary steps to return the global economy to a strong, stable and sustainable growth path," the statement said. | |
Mr Brown said G8 leaders recognised that the path out of recession was not yet secure, citing the recent rise in oil prices to $75 a barrel and fears of rising unemployment. | |
The area where the three-day summit is being held is still suffering aftershocks from the April quake and an evacuation plan is in place in case a serious tremor should hit. | The area where the three-day summit is being held is still suffering aftershocks from the April quake and an evacuation plan is in place in case a serious tremor should hit. |
Security is also tight and at least 36 protesters have already been arrested. | Security is also tight and at least 36 protesters have already been arrested. |
President Obama arrived on Wednesday, as did Gordon Brown and German Chancellor Angela Merkel. | President Obama arrived on Wednesday, as did Gordon Brown and German Chancellor Angela Merkel. |
Russian President Dmitry Medvedev flew in fresh from talks with Mr Obama in Moscow in which the two agreed a framework for new nuclear weapons cuts. | Russian President Dmitry Medvedev flew in fresh from talks with Mr Obama in Moscow in which the two agreed a framework for new nuclear weapons cuts. |
The leaders of France, Canada and Japan are also attending, along with EU representatives. | The leaders of France, Canada and Japan are also attending, along with EU representatives. |
HAVE YOUR SAYThe "global warming" myth has been completely debunked by many leading academics, yet many, politicians believe it for their own purposes.William Read, UK Send us your comments | |
But Hu Jintao, China's president, cancelled plans to attend, instead flying back to Beijing amid continuing unrest in China's western region of Xinjiang. | But Hu Jintao, China's president, cancelled plans to attend, instead flying back to Beijing amid continuing unrest in China's western region of Xinjiang. |
The BBC's Bridget Kendall in L'Aquila says Mr Hu's absence is a setback for the summit. | The BBC's Bridget Kendall in L'Aquila says Mr Hu's absence is a setback for the summit. |
International political issues like the Iranian election aftermath, the Middle East, nuclear weapons and terrorism will also feature in talks. | |
African leaders will join the three-day summit on Friday to push for a new initiative to fund farming in the developing world and tackle global hunger. | |
Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi moved the summit to L'Aquila to show solidarity with the victims of April's earthquake. | |
He took Mrs Merkel on a tour of Onna, a nearby village almost flattened by the quake, and later Mr Obama was given a tour of L'Aquila to survey the earthquake damage. | |
On Wednesday, dozens of protesters occupied four coal power plants in different regions of Italy, demanding tougher measures from G8 leaders in fighting climate change, Greenpeace said. | |
In Rome on Tuesday police said they had arrested 36 people after masked protesters blocked roads, threw objects and set fire to tyres. |