Instead, the statement by the U.S.-brokered major economies meeting, which included some non-G8 countries, makes a vague reference to a long-term goal for reducing global emissions. It says deep cuts in global emissions will be necessary in the long-term to lower carbon emissions.

The wording of the statement mirrors a draft version obtained earlier this week by The Canadian Press.

It does not go as far as Tuesday's Group of Eight declaration that endorsed a halving of the world's emissions of greenhouse gases by all the world's major economies by 2050.

Emerging economies China and India are reportedly not ready to agree to the measures proposed by the G8 leaders.