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EU leaders reach new climate deal EU leaders reach new climate deal
(about 1 hour later)
European Union leaders have reached a deal on a package of measures to fight global warming, diplomats say. European Union leaders have reached a deal on a package of measures to fight global warming.
The plan, agreed at a Brussels summit, sets out how 27 member-countries will cut carbon emissions by 20% by 2020.The plan, agreed at a Brussels summit, sets out how 27 member-countries will cut carbon emissions by 20% by 2020.
French President Nicolas Sarkozy, the summit chairman, said something "quite historic" had happened in Brussels.French President Nicolas Sarkozy, the summit chairman, said something "quite historic" had happened in Brussels.
Earlier, environmental groups had reacted angrily to some of the EU draft proposals on emissions trading, calling them an "embarrassment." But critics pointed to concessions made to some nations, saying they would lessen the long-term impact of the package.
Scientists say carbon dioxide emissions need to be cut by 25-40% by 2020 for there to be a reasonable chance of avoiding dangerous climate change.Scientists say carbon dioxide emissions need to be cut by 25-40% by 2020 for there to be a reasonable chance of avoiding dangerous climate change.
The impact of the financial crisis is undermining the EU's long-term goal to build a new, low carbon economy. In other developments:
BBC environmental analyst Roger Harrabin says the repercussions will make it much harder for the EU to achieve the 30% emissions cut it has promised if the rest of the world agrees to the new UN climate deal next year.
  • EU leaders agreed an economic recovery package worth 200bn euros ($260bn) to ease the economic downturn
    • EU leaders also agreed an economic recovery package, and concessions to enable the Irish Republic to hold a second referendum on the Lisbon Treaty.
  • A deal was reached on concessions enabling the Irish Republic to hold a second referendum on the Lisbon Treaty
    • 'Embarrassment''Embarrassment'
    EU leaders have been discussing the so-called "20/20/20" package to tackle climate change and concessions to limit its impact on struggling industries.EU leaders have been discussing the so-called "20/20/20" package to tackle climate change and concessions to limit its impact on struggling industries.
    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 EU climate package explainedCalifornia adopts emissions planBrown hails EU recovery 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 EU climate package explainedCalifornia adopts emissions planBrown hails EU recovery package class="" href="/1/hi/world/europe/7779854.stm">Ireland confirms EU vote plan
    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, commit the EU to cutting carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions by 20% by 2020, compared to 1990 levels.
    It must also raise renewable sources to 20% of total energy use.
    EU Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso called the plans "the most ambitious proposals anywhere in the world".
    "Europe has today passed its credibility test. We mean business when we talk about climate," he said, appealing to US President-elect Barack Obama to follow Europe's lead.
    But critics said the package - which includes concessions to some Eastern European countries - did not go far enough.
    "This is a flagship EU policy with no captain, a mutinous crew and several gaping holes in it," said Sanjeev Kumar of WWF.
    'Watering down'
    At the same time, a UN climate conference has been taking place 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.At the same time, a UN climate conference has been taking place 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 had to remain on track. Mr Kerry, who is representing Mr Obama, said the aim of agreeing a deal by next year had to remain on track.
    Environmental groups at the Poznan conference have reacted angrily to what they see as unacceptable watering down in draft final EU texts.Environmental groups at the Poznan conference have reacted angrily to what they see as unacceptable watering down in draft final EU texts.
    "The deal would allow EU countries to buy so many credits outside Europe that they would only have to reduce their own emissions by about 4% by 2020 (from current levels)," said Stephan Singer from the European policy office of environmental group WWF.
    "That is close to nothing, an embarrassment," he said.