G-8 to cut emissions, environmentalists aren't happy

William Atkins
Tuesday, 08 July 2008 18:56

Science - Climate

Before the meeting of the G-8, a group of representatives from the five major emerging countries met. These countries are Brazil, China, India, Mexico, and South Africa.

The five countries announced that the G-8 countries should reduce their greenhouse gas emissions by 80 to 95% by 2050 from their 1990 base levels, as opposed to only a 50% reduction by 2050 (in the G-8 plan) and without any base year to start their plan.

They also stated that developed countries should set a mid-term goal of a 25 to 40% drop of greenhouse gas emissions by 2020 from their base-year 1990 levels.

The five countries also suggested that developed countries use 0.5% of their gross domestic product (GDP) to help developing countries counter global climate change, and use 0.7% of their GDP on general aid to such developing countries. [Statistics found in the Reuters article]

The five countries laid out their plans publicly before meeting with the representatives of the G-8 countries.

These representives stated that a joint global agreement with respect to the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions must take "into account historical responsibility and respective capacities as a fair and just approach.” [Reuters]

Additional information on the 2008 Summit is found at:

EarthTimes.org: “EXTRA: The G8 summit in numbers”

Reuters: “Factbox: What happened at the last five G8 summits”

MOFA.go.jp: “Main Themes”