"The U.S., European Union and 12 of the world's largest nations plan to embrace 'an aspirational goal' of reducing emissions of global-warming gases by 50% by 2050, according to a draft declaration by world leaders set for release next week in Italy.

The draft, seen by The Wall Street Journal, sets up a framework for detailed negotiations on the issue ahead of a United Nations climate conference in December. But it leaves key areas in the climate-change debate in dispute. The draft is subject to change ahead of a meeting of global leaders starting Wednesday.

The declaration recognizes a 'broad scientific view' that global temperatures shouldn't rise more than two degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels, but doesn't lock in the 'two-degree ceiling' that some nations and environmentalists want. Global temperatures currently are about 0.8 degree Celsius above those levels."

Jonathan Weisman reports for the Wall Street Journal July 3, 2009. [2]