By Anthony Boadle

Germany and Brazil committed themselves to a joint stance on climate change, putting the largest economies in Europe and Latin America on the same page ahead of global climate talks in Paris in December.

Chancellor Angela Merkel and Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff focused mainly on environmental cooperation during a 24-hour visit by the German leader that was also aimed at boosting trade and investment in Brazil’s stagnant economy.

“We agreed on common actions to deal with one of the most important challenges of the 21st Century,” Rousseff said. She said Brazil is committed to reducing deforestation in the Amazon to zero by 2030.

Rousseff declared Brazilian support for decarbonizing the global economy by the end of the century, an announcement environmental activists said would boost hopes for such a target being agreed to in Paris.

“As the world’s third largest greenhouse gas emitter, Brazilian support is crucial…