EU promises bold climate plans Brussels, reuters: European Union leaders planned on Thursday to appease critics of the blocs bold plans to fight climate change amid economic turmoil with concessions to heavy industry and former communist nations.
But they were set to reaffirm a December deadline and stick to their ambitious targets of cutting carbon dioxide emissions by a fifth by 2020 at a summit overshadowed by tumbling stockmarkets and the threat of a punishing recession.
“The European Council confirms its determination to honour the ambitious commitments it has made on climate and energy policy,” said the draft final statement circulated to leaders at the final session of a two-day summit.
“In this connection, it reaffirms that its objective is to reach agreement in December,” said the text, which could still be changed by leaders.
German Chancellor Angela Merkel urged other leaders to push for a deal by December, and Austrian Chancellor Alfred Gusenbauaer warned of difficult negotiations ahead to win over the plan’s critics.
Veto threat
During combative discussions on Wednesday, Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk threatened to use his veto unless more was done to shield Poland’s coal-based economy from the impact of the measures.
