The world's leading industrialized nations gave their backing on Thursday to a new global deal on climate change in 2015 after promises from the United States at the start of the week galvanized flagging momentum.

 

The United States' plan to cut emissions from power plants by 30 percent by 2030 prompted the European Union into a defense of its own record.

 

China, the world's biggest emitter of greenhouse gases, also gave a hint that it would set some kind of cap on its emissions.

 

In a communique after summit talks in Brussels, the G7 leaders affirmed their "strong determination" to adopt a new global deal in 2015 that is "ambitious, inclusive and reflects changing global circumstances".

 

It said the G7 nations - Britain, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan and the United States - remained committed to low-carbon economies and limiting temperature rises to 2 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels, the limit scientists say can prevent the most devastating effects of climate change.

 

The communique also committed nations to announcing national contributions to reducing emissions by the first quarter of next year, ahead of a Paris conference on deciding a global deal in December 2015.