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EU agrees renewable energy target EU agrees renewable energy target
(about 1 hour later)
European Union leaders have agreed to adopt a binding target on the use of renewable energy, such as wind and solar power, officials say.European Union leaders have agreed to adopt a binding target on the use of renewable energy, such as wind and solar power, officials say.
UK PM Tony Blair said the deal was "a major step" which put the EU in a leadership position on climate change.UK PM Tony Blair said the deal was "a major step" which put the EU in a leadership position on climate change.
There had been strong opposition from some countries to the proposal to boost renewable fuel use to 20% by 2020. The 27 EU states will each decide how they contribute to meeting a 20% boost overall in renewable fuel use by 2020.
On Thursday, EU leaders agreed to cut carbon dioxide emissions by 20% from 1990 levels by the year 2020.On Thursday, EU leaders agreed to cut carbon dioxide emissions by 20% from 1990 levels by the year 2020.
Prime Minister Tony Blair said the package of measures agreed in Brussels gave the EU "a very clear leadership position on this crucial issue facing the world". Member states have also agreed to set a 10% minimum target on the use of bio fuels in transport by 2020.
He said the EU's 27 member states had also agreed to a target on the use of bio fuels. 'New dimension'
These decisions are very important for the future of our planet, for the future generations, for the global community 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 Speaking before Friday's agreement, German Chancellor Angela Merkel said the proposed binding target on renewable energy would "inject a new quality into the energy and climate policy of the European Union". Speaking in Brussels, Prime Minister Tony Blair said: "These are a set of groundbreaking, bold, ambitious targets for the European Union.
The final text allows flexibility in how each country contributes to the overall target on renewable sources. These decisions are very important for the future of our planet, for the future generations, for the global community 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 "It gives Europe a clear leadership position on this crucial issue facing the world."
Looking forward to the G8 summit of industrialised nations in June, Mr Blair said the European deal would give "a good chance" of getting the US, China and India on board too.
German Chancellor Angela Merkel, who chaired the two-day summit, welcomed the package of binding measures.
"I personally am very satisfied and happy that it has been possible to open the door into a whole new dimension of European co-operation in the years to come in the area of energy and combating climate change," she said.
The statement on renewable energy sources allows flexibility in how each country contributes to the overall target for the EU.
EU leaders will negotiate on how the overall target is reached
Poorer Eastern European countries, which are more dependent on heavy industry and carbon-heavy coal, had argued they would struggle to make the investment in wind farms and solar power necessary to meet binding targets.Poorer Eastern European countries, which are more dependent on heavy industry and carbon-heavy coal, had argued they would struggle to make the investment in wind farms and solar power necessary to meet binding targets.
The concerns of countries, like France, which wanted nuclear energy to be taken into account also had to be addressed. The final text allayed their fears by stating that "differentiated national overall targets" for renewables would be set, "with due regard to a fair and adequate allocation taking account of different national starting points".
Mrs Merkel, whose country holds the EU presidency, said nuclear energy was not renewable energy but conceded that it might be considered as part of the overall carbon reduction plan. In what is viewed as a concession to France, the text recognises the contribution of nuclear energy in "meeting the growing concerns about safety of energy supply and carbon dioxide emissions reductions".
'Ambitious package' However, it also highlights safety concerns, stating that "nuclear safety and security" should be "paramount in the decision-making process".
Speaking before the agreement was announced, EU Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso said he was hopeful a historic agreement would be reached. Speaking before the agreement was announced, EU Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso said: "These decisions are very important for the future of our planet, for the future generations, for the global community."
"These decisions are very important for the future of our planet, for the future generations, for the global community," he said.
"I hope a very ambitious package will come out of this summit - indeed, the most ambitious package ever agreed by any institution or any group of countries in the world on energy, security and climate protection."
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.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.