Global Warming

G-7 aims to limit global warming to 2 degrees

The leaders of seven of the world’s richest countries pledged Monday to work to limit global warming to 2 degrees Celsius (3.6 Fahrenheit) above pre-industrial levels.

The ambitious goal matches a level that scientists have agreed upon in recent years, saying it would prevent the most catastrophic effects of climate change.

It was part of a declaration from the leaders of the United States, Germany, France, Canada, the United Kingdom, Japan and Italy — known as the Group of 7 or G-7 — after a meeting in southern Germany.

The leaders set out their target for the United Nations’ conference in Paris this December, where they intend to work on a global climate pact.

“The agreement should enhance transparency and accountability including through binding rules at its core to track progress towards achieving targets, which should promote increased ambition over time,” the G-7 declaration says.