One step forward, one step back. That's likely to be the verdict on the just-ended summit of the Group of Eight industrial powers. Progress came on climate change; the retreat was on AIDS. Yet the trimming of ambitions regarding AIDS policy should shape perceptions of the historic deal on greenhouse-gas emissions: Rhetoric is easy. Only sustained commitments, backed by serious actions, truly matter.
German Chancellor Angela Merkel, host of this year's summit, made a deal on climate change her top priority. She had support from most other attendees. U.S. President George W. Bush was the most important holdout. While he has reluctantly acknowledged the significance of global warming, he steadfastly opposes binding targets, preferring voluntary measures.
At their meeting, which ended Friday, the G8 leaders agreed to major cuts in greenhouse-gas emissions. Officials from the countries that produce the most greenhouse gases will negotiate nonbinding goals by the end of next year. The European Union, Canada and Japan have pledged to halve their emissions by 2050. The United States and Russia said they would "seriously consider" that goal.