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EU leaders focus on climate deal EU leaders focus on climate deal
(about 1 hour later)
Leaders of the European Union are said to be close to a compromise agreement on how to achieve ambitious targets to fight global warming.Leaders of the European Union are said to be close to a compromise agreement on how to achieve ambitious targets to fight global warming.
They are attempting to agree a mechanism whereby the EU could cut carbon emissions by 20% by 2020.They are attempting to agree a mechanism whereby the EU could cut carbon emissions by 20% by 2020.
They have also agreed in principal a 200bn-euro economic stimulus package.They have also agreed in principal a 200bn-euro economic stimulus package.
Earlier, EU members reportedly agreed a series of concessions to Ireland which would enable it to hold a second referendum on the Lisbon reform treaty. Earlier, EU members reportedly agreed a series of concessions to the Irish Republic enabling it to hold a second referendum on the Lisbon reform treaty.
Ireland's rejection of the treaty in June stalled the project, which is aimed at simplifying decision-making in the 27-member bloc. Dublin's rejection of the treaty in June stalled the project, which is aimed at simplifying decision-making in the 27-member bloc.
ConcessionsConcessions
At the end of a first day of talks at the summit in Brussels, EU leaders moved closer towards agreement on the so-called "20-20-20" package to tackle climate change after concessions were made to limit its impact on struggling industries.At the end of a first day of talks at the summit in Brussels, EU leaders moved closer towards agreement on the so-called "20-20-20" package to tackle climate change after concessions were made to limit its impact on struggling industries.
Some EU countries want auctions of pollution permits delayedSome EU countries want auctions of pollution permits delayed
The measures, which also require approval by the European Parliament to become law, would commit the EU to cutting carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions by 20% by 2020, compared to 1990 levels, and to raising renewable sources to 20% of total energy use.The measures, which also require approval by the European Parliament to become law, would commit the EU to cutting carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions by 20% by 2020, compared to 1990 levels, and to raising renewable sources to 20% of total energy use.
The BBC's Jonny Dymond, in the Belgian capital, says a deal seems to be coming, but there were some very long faces as the summit broke up on Thursday night. The talks are going on concurrently with a UN climate conference in Poznan, Poland, where former US presidential candidate John Kerry said the United States was set to lead the world towards a new climate deal.
Mr Kerry, who is representing President-elect Barack Obama, said the aim of agreeing a deal by next year must remain on track.
'Heading for compromise'
The BBC's Jonny Dymond, in Brussels, says an EU deal seems to be coming, but there were some very long faces as the summit broke up on Thursday night.
There is concern in some quarters that the compromise proposed has led to the overall aim of the package being undermined.There is concern in some quarters that the compromise proposed has led to the overall aim of the package being undermined.
Italy's threat to veto a deal because of its concern over the impact on industry appears to have gone, our correspondent says. Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi said on Friday that the EU was "heading towards a compromise".Italy's threat to veto a deal because of its concern over the impact on industry appears to have gone, our correspondent says. Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi said on Friday that the EU was "heading towards a compromise".
"Italy is on the way to getting all it wants," he added."Italy is on the way to getting all it wants," he added.
Poland, which has been offered incentives along with concessions on its coal-based power industry, said its position was being taken into account.Poland, which has been offered incentives along with concessions on its coal-based power industry, said its position was being taken into account.
If we fail to reach an agreement at this summit, it will be disastrous for climate negotiations next year Danish PM Anders Fogh RasmussenIf we fail to reach an agreement at this summit, it will be disastrous for climate negotiations next year Danish PM Anders Fogh Rasmussen
Germany, which is set to get more time to allow its heavy industry to adjust, meanwhile said it had good hopes for a deal.Germany, which is set to get more time to allow its heavy industry to adjust, meanwhile said it had good hopes for a deal.
Steel, cement, chemicals, paper and other industries will be sheltered from the added cost of buying permits to emit CO2 from the EU's Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS), according to a draft text seen by the Reuters news agency. Steel, cement, chemicals, paper and other industries will be sheltered from the added cost of buying permits to emit CO2 from the EU's Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS), according to a draft text seen by BBC News.
Our correspondent says that aside from the question of who pays, the risk is twofold - a high number of free permits may lead to chronic distortion in the emissions trading market; and if swathes of carbon generation are left out of the system, then the ambition of establishing Europe on a low-carbon trajectory will not be met.Our correspondent says that aside from the question of who pays, the risk is twofold - a high number of free permits may lead to chronic distortion in the emissions trading market; and if swathes of carbon generation are left out of the system, then the ambition of establishing Europe on a low-carbon trajectory will not be met.
A new formal proposal will be issued by the French presidency before the meeting breaks for the night. Leaders will then return with their reaction in the morning.A new formal proposal will be issued by the French presidency before the meeting breaks for the night. Leaders will then return with their reaction in the morning.
At the start of the discussions on Thursday, French President Nicolas Sarkozy said he hoped his fellow leaders would be able to unite on a climate package.At the start of the discussions on Thursday, French President Nicolas Sarkozy said he hoped his fellow leaders would be able to unite on a climate package.
EU 20-20-20 TARGETS 20% cut in greenhouse gas emissions by 202020% increase in use of renewable energy by 202020% cut in energy consumption through improved energy efficiency by 2020 France races to clinch EU dealsIn depth: Climate changeEU climate package explainedEU 20-20-20 TARGETS 20% cut in greenhouse gas emissions by 202020% increase in use of renewable energy by 202020% cut in energy consumption through improved energy efficiency by 2020 France races to clinch EU dealsIn depth: Climate changeEU climate package explained
"Europe must not provide the spectacle of its own division," he said."Europe must not provide the spectacle of its own division," he said.
Danish Prime Minister Anders Fogh Rasmussen warned that a successful EU deal was vital to persuade other major greenhouse gas emitters to agree to cuts at the UN Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen next year.Danish Prime Minister Anders Fogh Rasmussen warned that a successful EU deal was vital to persuade other major greenhouse gas emitters to agree to cuts at the UN Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen next year.
The comments were echoed by the UN secretary-general at a conference in Poland, who warned governments worldwide against backsliding in their efforts to tackle global warming, as they struggled to cope with the economic downturn.The comments were echoed by the UN secretary-general at a conference in Poland, who warned governments worldwide against backsliding in their efforts to tackle global warming, as they struggled to cope with the economic downturn.
Ban Ki-moon said the financial crisis was serious, but the fight against climate change was "the defining challenge of our era".Ban Ki-moon said the financial crisis was serious, but the fight against climate change was "the defining challenge of our era".
Mr Ban called for a renewed sense of urgency in cutting carbon emissions and said Europe's leadership was vital.Mr Ban called for a renewed sense of urgency in cutting carbon emissions and said Europe's leadership was vital.
Economy deal 'agreed'Economy deal 'agreed'
Also discussed at Thursday's meeting was the EU's proposed 200bn-euro (£175bn) "fiscal stimulus", equivalent to 1.5% of the bloc's projected gross domestic product (GDP).Also discussed at Thursday's meeting was the EU's proposed 200bn-euro (£175bn) "fiscal stimulus", equivalent to 1.5% of the bloc's projected gross domestic product (GDP).
Belgian Prime Minister Yves Leterme said a deal had been agreed "in principle" and that EU leaders would finalise a text on Friday.Belgian Prime Minister Yves Leterme said a deal had been agreed "in principle" and that EU leaders would finalise a text on Friday.
Italy's Prime Minister Berlusconi also said a broad agreement had been reached.Italy's Prime Minister Berlusconi also said a broad agreement had been reached.
The proposed fiscal stimulus would seek to boost employment and growth, and would involve everything from tax cuts to investment strategies, while taking account of differences between the economies of each member state.The proposed fiscal stimulus would seek to boost employment and growth, and would involve everything from tax cuts to investment strategies, while taking account of differences between the economies of each member state.