Europe moves on carbon emissions

Faced with the latest predictions of the effects of climate change, the European Union has agreed to a fresh cut in carbon dioxide emissions of 20 per cent and to press for a global reduction of 30 per cent. Environment ministers dismissed calls to water down EU objectives and approved a binding set of new targets to be fulfilled by 2020, covering the period after the expiry of the Kyoto protocol in 2012. Cuts of 20 per cent on 1990 levels will be implemented unilaterally by the EU, but that figure will rise to 30 per cent if it can be agreed internationally. Although Poland and Hungary had voiced concerns ahead of the meeting, neither country blocked a deal. However, the details remain to be worked out and European countries will now negotiate a 'burden sharing' regime. This will allow the less-developed eastern European countries to catch up economically, while their wealthier counterparts compensate by cutting emissions more than the average figure. The accord was hailed an 'historic decision' by Sigmar Gabriel, the environment minister of Germany, which currently holds the EU presidency and chaired the discussions. He said targets could be differentiated depending on " the economic situation in the country ". Germany could, he said, attain a 40 per cent cut in carbon dioxide emissions to help bring average reductions down. In a key concession, some of the EU's newer members can use different starting points for their calculations. This would permit them to take advantage of the drop in carbon dioxide arising from the disappearance of heavy industry following the collapse of Communism. Poland, which is allowed to calculate emission reductions from 1988, says between then and 2004 emissions dropped by 31.6 per cent, making the new post-2012 targets easily attainable. Slovenia will be allowed to use 1986 as a base date, while Hungary can calculate emissions from a baseline date of 1985–87. The European Union is seeking to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions as the UK proposes legislation to secure its reductions, writes Nigel Williams. Environmental groups gave the deal a mixed reaction, welcoming the fact that targets will be binding but calling on EU countries to implement the 30 per cent reduction irrespective of what other nations around the world agree. Mahi Sideridou of Greenpeace said: " We happily welcome the 30 per cent emission cut proposed for the EU and for developed Turn down: …