January 10, 2007
Europe

EU plans new cuts to fight global warming

The European Union should cut its emissions of greenhouse gases by at least 20 percent by 2020 from 1990 levels as part of a new energy policy to fight climate change, the EU’s executive Commission said on Wednesday.

The Commission called on developed nations around the world to cut emissions of gases blamed for global warming by 30 percent by 2020, saying the EU would go beyond its unilateral target if others followed suit.

The EU’s new target is more ambitious than an existing one for an 8 percent cut in emissions in the 2008-2012 period adopted by the 15 members of the EU before its 2004 enlargement, but which several countries are already struggling to meet.

The Commission also said 20 percent of EU power should come from renewable sources, such as wind, by 2020.

That compares with an existing target of 12 percent by 2010 which the bloc is likely to miss.

The proposals must be approved by EU governments.

An EU official said the Commission was likely to approve a proposal that biofuels should account for 10 percent of fuel used by vehicles by 2020.

Reuters

reuters.co.uk


URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2007/01/10/eu-plans-new-cuts-to-fight-global-warming/