Blair urges G8 2050 climate pact

TOKYO (Reuters) - Former prime minister Tony Blair urged the Group of Eight rich nations on Friday to agree to a global goal of halving greenhouse gas emissions by 2050, despite signs top carbon emitter the United States would not back the target. "What we should do this year is to establish the workplan necessary so that we can get an interim target next year that is realistic," Blair told a news conference. "For this year's Japan G8, the essential thing is -- get the global 2050 target agreed, and then get the elements that will go into the package for next year." Blair, who is in Tokyo to present a report by the non-profit Climate Group, said an agreement at the G8 summit in Hokkaido, northern Japan, from July 7-9 would be key to kick-starting discussions for an interim emissions reduction target next year. Pressure is... [read full story]