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| Version 2 | Version 3 |
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| EU reaches deal on emissions cuts | EU reaches deal on emissions cuts |
| (1 day later) | |
| EU environment ministers have agreed in principle to cut greenhouse emissions by 20% from 1990 levels by 2020. | EU environment ministers have agreed in principle to cut greenhouse emissions by 20% from 1990 levels by 2020. |
| The ministers, meeting in Brussels, also agreed to seek a 30% cut worldwide if matched by other developed nations. | The ministers, meeting in Brussels, also agreed to seek a 30% cut worldwide if matched by other developed nations. |
| The proposals, outlined by the European Commission in January, are seen as a key measure to curb climate change. | The proposals, outlined by the European Commission in January, are seen as a key measure to curb climate change. |
| The EU must still decide how to make cuts, allowing for a possible compromise with member states opposed to mandatory targets. | The EU must still decide how to make cuts, allowing for a possible compromise with member states opposed to mandatory targets. |
| Hungary and Poland, who joined the EU in 2004, opposed making the cuts mandatory, diplomats said. | |
| Finland also reportedly voiced opposition to the commission's targets. | |
| But German Environment Minister Sigmar Gabriel said his country was prepared to go further and cut emissions by 40%. | But German Environment Minister Sigmar Gabriel said his country was prepared to go further and cut emissions by 40%. |
| "There will be some countries like Germany that will see a steeper reduction in greenhouse gases," he said, quoted by the Associated Press news agency. | |
| Struggle for consensus | Struggle for consensus |
| On Sunday, environment ministers from the UK, Spain and Slovenia urged the 27-member block to endorse the 30% target. | On Sunday, environment ministers from the UK, Spain and Slovenia urged the 27-member block to endorse the 30% target. |
| The window of opportunity is closing rapidly and a strong EU voice is necessary UK, Spanish and Slovenian environment ministers Q&A: EU energy proposals 'Testing time' for EU policy | The window of opportunity is closing rapidly and a strong EU voice is necessary UK, Spanish and Slovenian environment ministers Q&A: EU energy proposals 'Testing time' for EU policy |
| In an article for the BBC News website, they said that failure to act would threaten efforts to persuade nations such as the US and China to agree to cap emissions. | In an article for the BBC News website, they said that failure to act would threaten efforts to persuade nations such as the US and China to agree to cap emissions. |
| In January, Environment Commissioner Stavros Dimas urged "the rest of the developed world to follow our lead, match our reductions and accelerate progress towards an international agreement on the global emission reductions". | In January, Environment Commissioner Stavros Dimas urged "the rest of the developed world to follow our lead, match our reductions and accelerate progress towards an international agreement on the global emission reductions". |
| However, international negotiations on the shape of the framework to replace the current Kyoto Protocol, which expires in 2012, have struggled to reach a consensus. | However, international negotiations on the shape of the framework to replace the current Kyoto Protocol, which expires in 2012, have struggled to reach a consensus. |
| A number of nations have voiced doubts about the effectiveness of national emission limits. | A number of nations have voiced doubts about the effectiveness of national emission limits. |