Greenpeace slams 'weak' G8 climate accord


Environmental group Greenpeace has slammed a Group of Eight (G8) leaders' agreement on greenhouse gas emissions as "weak" because it failed to include serious reduction targets.
The world's most industrialised nations have pledged at a summit in Germany to seek substantial global emissions reductions and "consider" a target of cutting greenhouse gases by at least half by 2050.
German Chancellor Angela Merkel says she is very satisfied with the accord, while British Prime Minister Tony Blair has declared it a major step forward.
But Greenpeace spokesman Daniel Mittler says the deal is clearly not enough to prevent dangerous climate change.
"Over 85 per cent of the emissions that we currently have in the atmosphere are caused by the G8 countries so they had a special responsibility to take the lead here," he said.
"That they have failed to do.
"The one good news is that they have cleared the road for serious negotiations to happen at the UN climate talks in December."
Meanwhile, Nigerian President Umaru Yar'Adua says he expects the G8 summit to result in an increased share of free trade to Africa.
He says he also hopes for more international help in resolving African conflicts.
"We expect an increased participation of the international community in resolving crises within the African continent, especially the Darfur crisis and the crisis in Somalia," he said.