G8 closer to cooler world

Public pressure on climate pushes G8 closer to cooler world

Heiligendamm, Germany - The G8 agreement on climate change contains important steps forward with all G8 countries agreeing to negotiate a UN deal to reduce emissions in the long-term by 2009, says WWF. Heads of State, however, failed to give concrete figures and timelines.

Today's agreement also shows that public pressure to stop global warming and keeping it well below 2°C over pre-industrial levels has led Canada and Japan closer to the EU's position. "The support by the EU, Japan and Canada to cut carbon pollution 50 per cent by 2050 means we are a step closer to taking real action for the world's climate," says Hans Verolme, Director of WWF's Global Climate Change Programme. "We are pleased that the world's most powerful nations are ready to begin negotiations in Bali in December this year, and want to conclude an agreement in 2009 that will keep the climate safe. In Bali we will see what the agreement is worth." "But real emission cuts still have to be negotiated, and countries must recognize the need for staying below 2°C. Global carbon markets will be buoyed by the clear support from the G8 for a 2009 end date to the post-2012 negotiations," adds Verolme. "The fact that the US has signed up to this agreement is significant, now is the time for concrete actions."

"WWF commends Germany's Chancellor Merkel for leading the world's largest economies to reach an agreement that brings us closer to long-term binding targets for emission reductions," says Regine Guenther, Head of WWF Germany's climate change programme.

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