G8 Leaders agree compromise deal on Climate Change

1.34.46pm UTC (GMT +0000) Fri 8th Jun 2007

Leaders of the G8 nations have agreed to a compromise deal on tackling climate change, German Chancellor Angela Merkel has said. "We agreed... that CO2 emissions must first be stopped and then followed by substantial reductions," she said. Reports said the leaders had agreed to hold talks on a replacement to the Kyoto Protocol within a UN framework. The G8 today agreed to 'discuss' targets to cut emissions by 50% by 2050.

Sir Ming Campbell said "This outcome is very disappointing. Agreeing to prearranged talks about cutting emissions will do nothing to tackle climate change. We need a commitment now to cut greenhouse gas emissions by at least 50% by 2050 to stop climate chaos. Any post-2012 treaty must be guided by the science, not political convenience."