Got to hand it to Poland, they aren't rolling over on every edict from Brussels.
A 'dark day' for European climate policy
Poland has blocked attempts by European ministers to toughen carbon emissions targets, a move that UK Energy Minister Chris Huhne described as marking ‘a dark day for Europe’.
Aleya Begum 22 June 2011 08:57 GMT
In an EU Environment Council meeting in Luxembourg yesterday, which discussed the European Commission’s recent 2050 Low Carbon Roadmap, Poland was the only country not to agree to plans to look at increasing the initial 20% emissions reduction target, compared to 1990, set for 2020.
With Poland just weeks away from taking over the rotating presidency of the 27-member bloc, the move could suggest more collisions for Europe on climate issues.
"I'm deeply disappointed that the only country in the EU that could not accept a good compromise on how we can move Europe to a low carbon economy was Poland,” said Huhne.
"Delay and blockage is a recipe for increased costs and missed opportunities.
"It's a dark day for Europe's leading role in tackling climate change but the UK together with its European colleagues will continue to make the economic case for tighter EU carbon targets so that we can make the most of the future green economy.
But Polish Environment Minister Andrzej Kraszewski said the plans need to understand the economic situation of Europe's poorer states, and called for more solidarity.
"Analysis should be widely discussed and reflect the economic consequences for each member state," Kraszewski told reporters.
"There will be another possibility to take common decisions."
The meeting in Luxembourg was aimed to discuss ways member states can cut carbon emissions by 40% before 2030, by 60% by 2040 and by 80% by 2050.
Some countries had called for the current 20% target by 2020 to be pushed to 30% but a compromise target of 25% was reached and backed by all member states except Poland.
The proposal is believed to have received a stand-off response from Poland on the grounds that it sounded more like a binding commitment, than a suggested milestone.
EU proposasl must receive unanimous support in order to be carried forward.
Published: 22 June 2011 08:57 GMT | Last updated: 22 June 2011 09:16 GMT |
