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G8 climate change talks in Japan in July deal hangs in the balance

Posted: 01/07/08
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World economy, climate change, Africa and development will be on the agenda when leaders meet at the G8 Summit in Japan next week.

As the global economy slows down, the price of oil skyrockets and basic food prices increase, political leaders are being forced to address a number of growing issues, with climate change at the top of the list.

With emissions in the US and Japan rising, leaders need to create clear goals for reducing greenhouse gases and creating radical change, moving from growth built on fossil fuels to environmentally sustainable development.

Being a global issue, climate change needs a global response. Targets of reducing carbon emissions by 50 per cent by 2050 have been talked about, but short term goals for emerging nations like China, Brazil and India, and a medium term goal needs to be drawn up if any real action is to occur.

Japan is the world’s fifth biggest emitter of greenhouse gases and is under increasing pressure to reduce carbon emissions, as drawn up in the Kyoto protocol.

Environmentalists are urging quick action to stem the effects of the rise in world temperatures, which scientists say threaten to drive species to extinction, worsen floods and droughts, and thwart economic development.

With the Japanese elections due in the Autumn the Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda is under growing pressure to secure an agreement at the talks.

There are also deep divisions within the G8 about timelines and about the emerging economies such as China and South America (China is the world’s biggest emitter of greenhouse gases, along with the US).

For journalists looking ahead to next week’s G8 Summit and would like comments, interviews and quotes from our independent analyst, please contact:

Craig Stephenson or Vicky Lyons
Flame Public Relations
020 7233 7578
press@flamepr.com

Contact Name: Craig Stephenson or Vicky Lyons
Company: Flame Public Relations
Contact Email: click to reveal e-mail
Contact Phone: 020 7233 7578