EU seeks 30% emissions cut
Stavros Dimas, EU environment chief
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Tuesday, 19, Dec 2006 08:55
The European Union's environment chief has said he will press for a 30 per cent cut in EU greenhouse gas emissions by 2020.
Speaking at the final European Council meeting of the year, Stavros Dimas said binding cuts in greenhouse gas emissions by 2020 would form part of a wide-ranging set of initiatives to be unveiled in the New Year.
EU leaders previously suggested greenhouse gas emission cuts of 15 to 30 per cent by 2020 for developed nations.
On January 10th, the EU commission is set out to proffer its policies for fighting climate change after the Kyoto protocol expires in 2012.
Mr Dimas said international negotiations on climate change must accelerate "considerably" next year, adding the EU should show leadership to convince other nations that the EU Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS) was an effective tool in cutting pollution.
Mr Dimas said the EU had to "practice what it preached" on the issue.