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EU 'agrees binding energy levels' EU agrees on carbon dioxide cuts
(about 17 hours later)
EU leaders have agreed in principle to make targets for renewable energy binding, Swedish Prime Minister Fredrik Reinfeldt has announced. European Union leaders at a climate change summit in Brussels have agreed to slash carbon dioxide emissions by 20% from 1990 levels by the year 2020.
But Mr Reinfeldt said that first there would be "a discussion on what that means for each member state". But a consensus on a binding target for the use of renewable fuels, like wind and solar power, has yet to be reached.
He was speaking as the leaders of the 25-member bloc met to debate the issue at a summit in Brussels. German Chancellor and EU President Angela Merkel said she was hopeful an agreement could still be struck.
A European Commission proposal has called for 20% of EU energy consumption to be met by renewable sources by 2020. The European Commission wants countries to pledge, among other things, to raise use of renewable fuels to 20%.
The EU leaders are also expected to commit to cutting carbon emissions by 20% by 2020 compared to 1990 levels. 'Obligations'
'Credibility at stake' After talks ended on Thursday night, Mrs Merkel said progress had been made.
"We have agreed that we need a target for renewable energy supply and that it will be binding," Mr Reinfeldt told reporters after a first working session at the summit. Only if we take the initiative are we able afterwards to engage the rest of the world Jose Manuel BarrosoEuropean Commission President class="" href="/1/hi/world/europe/6432995.stm">Barroso defends 'gas guzzler' class="" href="/1/hi/world/europe/6427015.stm">Summit tests EU resolve class="" href="/1/hi/world/europe/6427845.stm">Europe diary: Going green "What has been agreed is a massive step forward from whatever point of view you take."
He said that Germany - which is currently holding the rotating presidency in the EU - would put out a text with the word "binding" in it, the minister added. She said she hoped the disagreement over fixed targets for renewable energy sources could be resolved during the second day of the summit.
The issue had been the main point of contention ahead of the two-day summit. "We talked about specific obligations - increasing energy efficiency, bio fuels, renewable energy. There is a need for further discussion on these three areas," she said.
Several member-states had voicing strong objections to the European Commission proposal. The proposal to increase the share of power from renewables - including wind, solar and hydroelectric sources - to 20% by 2020 has met with considerable opposition.
France, which depends heavily on nuclear power, has been opposed, saying that too should be considered a clean source of energy. French President Jacques Chirac has demanded that nuclear power be considered part of the plan.
Jose Manuel Barroso and Angela Merkel back tough targets
Mrs Merkel said that nuclear energy is not renewable energy but has conceded that it may be considered as part of the overall carbon reduction plan.
Poorer Eastern European countries, which are more dependent on heavy industry and carbon-heavy coal, said they would struggle to make the investment in wind farms and solar power necessary to meet the targets.
'Defining moment'
Ahead of the summit, EU Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso said that the EU's credibility hung on its matching words with action to fight climate change.Ahead of the summit, EU Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso said that the EU's credibility hung on its matching words with action to fight climate change.
He said the summit could be "a defining moment for the EU", in which it proved itself the pace-setter in the race to rein in global warming.
HAVE YOUR SAY Deals are one thing; implementation quite another Erling Nielsen, Denmark Send us your comments "Only if we take the initiative are we able afterwards to engage the rest of the world," he added.
It is thought the EU could offer to extend its 20% target for emissions cuts to 30% if other heavy polluters like the US, China and India come on board.
Mr Barroso also wants to sharpen competition in the European energy market, by breaking up energy giants like those in France and Germany and dividing power producers from distributors.
"I believe that only with that separation we can create more choice for consumers [and] more attractive conditions for investment," Mr Barroso said.