G8 near deal on “substantial” emissions cuts

G8 leaders were close on Thursday to agreeing a need for "substantial" cuts in world greenhouse-gas emissions, Reuters reported, adding that plans fell short of European calls to halve emissions by 2050.
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"I think it's possible that we leave this summit with a commitment on the part of everyone to a substantial reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2050 as a global target," Reuters reported British prime minister Tony Blair as saying after a meeting with US president George W. Bush, who says it is too early to set numerical targets at the summit in Heiligendamm, Germany.
But environmentists have expressed concern. "You need to keep the 50% target or otherwise world temperatures will rise more than 2 degrees Celsius," said Tobias Muenchmeyer of environmental group Greenpeace.