Today’s G8 Statement on Climate Change and the Environment commits member countries to a “goal of achieving at least 50% reduction of global emissions by 2050,” and embraces the need to “ensure an effective and ambitious global post-2012 climate regime,” but does not provide details on the types of “meaningful mitigation actions” that countries might adopt.

In recognition of the need for near-term political action on climate change, G8 members agree in the Statement to implement “economy-wide mid-term goals” on greenhouse gas emissions reductions. While recognizing the U.S. goal of stopping the growth of greenhouse gas emissions by 2025, the Statement is ambiguous on specific reduction commitments, and was criticized by some environmental groups as a “failure of responsibility.”

The Statement received additional criticism from the “G5″ nations for including strong language requiring emission reduction commitments from “all major economies” under a future global climate treaty. The requirement for a “global response…consistent with the principle of common but differentiated responsibilities” is considered to be a U.S.-driven push to increase pressure on countries like China and India in the post-Bali climate negotiations. Additional discussions on these topics are likely to take place during tomorrow’s Major Economies Meeting.

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