EU Environment Chief Seeks 30 Percent Emissions Cut
Date: 19-Dec-06
Country: BELGIUM
Speaking after a meeting of environment ministers on Monday, Dimas said he would support a 30 percent cut, though he declined to say what the formal proposal -- which must be agreed by his fellow commissioners -- would be in the end.
"This is what I am going to suggest, but there are a lot of ways to define a 30 percent target," he told reporters.
EU heads of state and government have previously said developed nations should aim to cut greenhouse gas emissions by 15-30 percent by 2020.
"I always listen to what the leaders of the European Union tell us to do," he said.
On January 10 the Commission is slated to set out a series of policy options for fighting climate change after 2012, when targets set under the Kyoto Protocol expire.
The measures will likely serve as a blueprint for the EU position in international negotiations on a post-Kyoto regime.
