Brussels, 17/06/2010 (Agence Europe) - Nothing to write home about at the 17 June European Council in Brussels when it comes to the climate, with politicians' minds focused firmly on the economy. The 27 EU heads of state decided in fact to postpone until October 2010 (ahead of the big UN climate change summit in Cancun, Mexico, on 29 November to 10 December) any decision about whether the EU should increase its greenhouse gas emission reduction target for 2010 from 20% to 30% (on 1990 levels).
The European Commission will by then have made more a detailed analysis of the costs and benefits of the various options at EU level and also for each member state, explains the European Council in its conclusions document, based on recommendations from the 11 June 2010 Environment Council (see EUROPE 10159). The European Council decided to leave until a later date examination of other issues raised by the Commission in its 26 May 2010 report analysing feasible options for going beyond the 20% greenhouse gas reduction target and assessing the risk of carbon leakage (see EUROPE 10147 and 10146).
The EU 27 put down in writing what they are currently doing to keep their promises on providing rapid reaction funding in 2010 for helping developing countries adapt to and reduce the impact of climate change, information to be submitted in a joint EU progress report to the UN summit in Cancún.
Speaking at a German press conference, Angela Merkel made a connection between the EU 2020 strategy and the fight against climate change. She said it was right and important to stick to the 3% GNP target for R&D and it was just as important to stick to the climate targets that the EU has set because they guide the whole European economy towards green technology. (A.N./transl.fl)