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EU leaders face climate challenge Climate talks 'key moment' for EU
(2 days later)
European leaders are expected to commit their countries to tough new emissions targets at a European Union summit focused on tackling global warming. The next few days could be a "defining moment for the EU" as its leaders consider tough new emissions targets, the EU Commission president says.
German Chancellor Angela Merkel, who will chair the summit, says Europe must lead the fight against climate change. Jose Manuel Barroso said the EU's credibility hung on its matching words with action to fight climate change.
In Brussels, EU leaders are expected to commit to cutting carbon emissions by 20% by 2020 compared to 1990 levels.In Brussels, EU leaders are expected to commit to cutting carbon emissions by 20% by 2020 compared to 1990 levels.
But how this burden will be shared is still subject to argument, as are plans to set renewable energy targets. But how this burden will be shared is still subject to argument, as are plans to increase energy market competition.
In the space of little over a year, climate change and what to do about it has shot to the top of the EU's agenda, says the BBC's Jonny Dymond in Brussels.In the space of little over a year, climate change and what to do about it has shot to the top of the EU's agenda, says the BBC's Jonny Dymond in Brussels.
Across Europe leaders have been stressing the urgency of action - but now they have to make good on all the talk, he says.Across Europe leaders have been stressing the urgency of action - but now they have to make good on all the talk, he says.
'Not easy' Leadership
Mrs Merkel said that if EU leaders approved ambitious targets, it would step up the pressure on other countries to follow their lead. Before the two-day summit opened on Thursday, Mr Barroso said: "Are we really credible or not?
At a G8 summit later in the year, which she will lead, she said she would be able to say: "Europe has taken an important step of its own and now others - the USA, China, India and the major developing countries - naturally must follow." "We have been speaking about climate change; now we have an opportunity to take decisions that are really important, not only for Europe but for the rest of the world.
The European Union is absolutely key to helping the world make the changes it must Al Gore class="" href="/1/hi/world/europe/6427015.stm">Summit tests EU resolve class="" href="/1/hi/world/europe/6427845.stm">Europe diary: Going green "Only if we take the initiative are we able afterwards to engage the rest of the world," he added.
"It's not just about Europe, it's also that we need the United States, we need China, we need India, we need others to come with us."
The European Union is absolutely key to helping the world make the changes it must Al GoreEnvironmental activist Summit tests EU resolve Europe diary: Going green
It is thought EU leaders may agree to a deeper cut of 30% in emissions by 2020 if other developed and emerging nations, notably the US, India and China, join in.It is thought EU leaders may agree to a deeper cut of 30% in emissions by 2020 if other developed and emerging nations, notably the US, India and China, join in.
"It won't be easy, but that's why the EU should make commitments now and take this pioneering position," Ms Merkel told Britain's Financial Times newspaper.
"The necessity to combat climate change and to reduce our energy dependency, coupled with the fact Kyoto is running out, have concentrated minds."
The Kyoto Protocol on greenhouse gas emissions is due to expire in 2012, and lead signatories want a new, tougher version to follow on.
Nuclear question
How a 20% or 30% cut will be achieved is likely to be the focus of lively debate in Brussels.How a 20% or 30% cut will be achieved is likely to be the focus of lively debate in Brussels.
Poorer Eastern European countries, which are more dependent on heavy industry and carbon-heavy coal, say they will struggle to make the investment in wind farms and solar power necessary to meet the targets.Poorer Eastern European countries, which are more dependent on heavy industry and carbon-heavy coal, say they will struggle to make the investment in wind farms and solar power necessary to meet the targets.
EU leaders hope to limit the damage to the environment
A European Commission proposal - that 20% of EU energy consumption should be met by renewable sources by 2020 - is therefore thought less likely to be adopted at the two-day summit.A European Commission proposal - that 20% of EU energy consumption should be met by renewable sources by 2020 - is therefore thought less likely to be adopted at the two-day summit.
France, which depends heavily on nuclear power, is opposed, saying that, too, should be considered a clean source of energy.France, which depends heavily on nuclear power, is opposed, saying that, too, should be considered a clean source of energy.
The EU was urged to take global leadership of the issue by the former US vice-president and environmental activist Al Gore, who was also in Brussels. EU leaders hope to limit the damage to the environment
"I'm trying to get my country to change its policies, but in the meantime the European Union is absolutely key to helping the world make the changes it must," he said. German Chancellor Angela Merkel, who is chairing the talks, said she expected "very difficult negotiations".
EU leaders will also consider how to secure and diversify the continent's energy supply in the future, and reduce demand. There is also likely to be tough talking over Mr Barroso's attempts to sharpen competition in the European energy market, by taking distribution out of the hands of big energy producers.
"I believe that only with that separation we can create more choice for consumers [and] more attractive conditions for investment," Mr Barroso said.
He said he knew that "unbundling" would be unpopular with "those who have some kind of dominant positions".
This will principally affect France and Germany, where big energy companies dominate both production and distribution networks.