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APEC leaders back off on 2050 emissions cut target

(Agencies)
Updated: 2009-11-14 17:37

SINGAPORE: APEC leaders have watered down draft text on emissions cuts, dropping a reference to reductions of minus 50 percent by 2050, pledging instead to "substantially" cut carbon pollution by 2050, the latest draft leaders' statement says.

Special Coverage: 17th APEC Leaders' Week Related readings:  China vows to promote energy saving, emission reduction work  China ready to push for 'fair' Copenhagen: Foreign Minister  APEC ministers committed to Doha Rround negotiations  APEC ministers plot ways to sustain recovery

The meeting of Asia-Pacific leaders, ministers and CEOs in Singapore is the last major gathering of global decision-makers before a UN climate summit in Copenhagen in three weeks meant to ramp up efforts to fight climate change.

But hopes have been dashed that the Copenhagen meeting will yield a legally binding framework for a new deal deal. Arguments over targets have been a key stumbling block in UN negotiations and at other forums, such as the G8.

While the APEC talks are not part of the troubled UN climate negotiations, any future emissions goals the 21 members adopt is crucial because the group is responsible for about 60 percent of mankind's greenhouse gas pollution.

The initial draft leader's statement said "global emissions will need to... be reduced to 50 per cent below 1990 levels by 2050".

The latest draft says: "We believe that global emissions will need to peak over the next few years, and be substantially reduced by 2050, recognising that the timeframe for peaking will be longer in developing economies".

The APEC draft doesn't mention a 2020 target but does retain a goal of limiting the global average temperature increase to within 2 degrees Celsius.