[Bangla Daily Star] G8 leaders have agreed to bear the brunt of steep global cuts in greenhouse gas emissions, calling on a broader bloc of developed countries to reduce pollution by 80 percent by 2050.
The aim, agreed at a G8 summit in the central Italian town of L'Aquila, is to cut overall world emissions by 50 percent in order to limit global warming to no more than two degrees Celsius, a declaration said.
Despite G8 backing for a 50 percent cut in emissions globally, a broader group of major polluters, including many developing countries such as China and India, dropped a pledge earlier to halve their pollution by 2050.
"We recognise the broad scientific view that the increase in global average temperature above pre-industrial levels ought not to exceed two degrees Celsius," the G8 leaders said.
"Because this global challenge can only be met by a global response, we reiterate our willingness to share with all countries the goal of achieving at least a 50 percent reduction of global emission by 2050," they added.
The 50 percent target was first put in writing at the G8 summit in Japan last year, but according to Japanese government spokesman Kazuo Kodama, the big eight leaders have struggled to convince major emerging economies to join in.
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