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SAPPORO, Japan, July 8 (Reuters) - Five big emerging economies called on the Group of Eight on Tuesday to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions by 80-95 percent below 1990 levels by 2050.

Mexico, Brazil, China, India and South Africa also urged all developed countries to commit themselves to absolute emission reductions based on a medium-term target of a 25-40 percent cut below 1990 levels by 2020.

The five set out their position in a statement after a meeting prior to joining the G8 for discussions on climate change on the final day of the rich countries' annual summit on the northern Japanese island of Hokkaido.

Earlier, G8 leaders said they would work with nearly 200 states in United Nations climate change talks to adopt a goal of at least halving greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. The G8 also said mid-term goals would be needed to achieve that target.

The five emerging economies said rich countries should spend 0.5 percent of their gross domestic product on helping developing countries to adapt to climate change. (Reporting by Lucy Hornby; Writing by Alan Wheatley)

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