European
Union leaders meeting in Brussels have agreed on a new target for the reduction
of greenhouse gases by 2030. Members also reached a deal on increasing the
proportion of renewable energy used.
Deutsche Welle, 24 Oct 2014
EU
President Herman Van Rompuy said early on Friday that leaders had set a new
target for 2030, significantly reducing the levels of greenhouse gases produced
by member states.
Deal! At least 40% emissions cut by 2030. World's most ambitious, cost-effective, fair #EU2030 climate energy policy agreed #EUCO
— Herman Van Rompuy (@euHvR) October 23, 2014
The
agreement is for a 40 percent cut in emissions compared with the levels
produced in the benchmark year of 1990.
The heads
of government meeting in Brussels agreed two other 2030 targets to increase the
proportion of renewable energy used and improve energy efficiency.
Members
agreed to derive at least 27 percent of EU energy from renewable sources such
as solar power and wind.
By boosting
energy efficiency, members also seek to reduce in energy consumption by at
least 27 percent.
Individual
concerns
The talks
stretched into the early hours on Friday as Poland made a case for protections
for its coal industry. Other states also sought to tweak the guideline text on
global warming to protect economic interests regarding issues such as nuclear
power and cross-border power lines.
An existing
goal that envisaged a 20-percent cut by 2020 is already close to being met, in
no small part as a result of the collapse of communist-era industry in Eastern
Europe.
The
agreement comes ahead of a global summit in Paris next year, which will involve
industrial powers from Asia, North America and the rest of the world.
rc/av (AP, AFP, dpa, Reuters)
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