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EU agrees on carbon dioxide cuts | |
(about 17 hours later) | |
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 a consensus on a binding target for the use of renewable fuels, like wind and solar power, has yet to be reached. | |
German Chancellor and EU President Angela Merkel said she was hopeful an agreement could still be struck. | |
The European Commission wants countries to pledge, among other things, to raise use of renewable fuels to 20%. | |
'Obligations' | |
After talks ended on Thursday night, Mrs Merkel said progress had been made. | |
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." | |
She said she hoped the disagreement over fixed targets for renewable energy sources could be resolved during the second day of the 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. | |
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. | |
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. |