G8 set to reduce CO2 by 50%

Meeting in Kobe, Japan, the environment ministers of the G-8 are close to an agreement to halve emissions of greenhouse gases by 2050. The deadline of 2020 is to be the subject of further discussions.

The ministers of the G-8 and eight other developing countries, began Saturday, a three-day meeting in Kobe, in central west of Japan, to discuss new ways to fight against global warming, while new data indicates a worsening situation.

The Group of Eight is scheduled to decide on targets for the mid-term in its ambition to reduce CO2 emissions by 2020, and the transfer of “clean” technologies to developing countries and dialogue with nations such as China, alongside the UN who will be involved in the process.

Ministers should publish a statement Monday announcing their “desire” to reduce by 50% emissions of greenhouse gases by 2050.

The Kobe meeting is held within the framework of the process initiated by the United Nations to achieve by December 2009 the conclusion of a new pact on global warming, known as successor to the Kyoto Protocol, whose initial agreements end in four years.