The world’s leading industrialised nations are set to take an important step in the fight against global warming, the trickiest subject on their agenda in Japan. Tokyo and the EU want a statement going beyond last year’s pledge to seriously consider halving carbon emissions by 2050.

Reports say they have thrashed out a wording which will allow President George W. Bush to put aside his scepticism, and support a long-term goal.

Bush insists Washington will not accept binding targets unless big polluters like China and India also commit to cuts. Some observers fear there will be no movement before the new US president takes office next year.

The G8 will set out its position on climate change, aid to Africa and rising food and fuel prices in a communique later today. The soaring price of oil is hitting the world’s poor hardest.

Copyright © 2012 euronews