The Environment Council has backed calls for developed countries to "take the lead" in tackling global warming, stating on 20 February 2007 that EU member states are "willing to commit to a reduction of 30%" in greenhouse gas emissions by 2020.
However, the 30% cut would only take effect "provided that other developed countries commit themselves to comparable emission reductions" in the context of international negotiations for the period after 2012, when the Kyoto targets expire.
If negotiations failed, the ministers agreed that the EU would go it alone. "The EU makes a firm independent commitment to achieve at least a 20% reduction of greenhouse gas emissions by 2020 compared to 1990," the ministers said in a statement.
The ministers' conclusions will be presented to EU leaders for final endorsement at a summit on 8-9 March in Brussels. They will then be followed up by a formal legislative proposal later in the year.
"We happily welcome the 30% emission cut proposed for the EU and developed countries," said Mahi Sideridou of Greenpeace. "Ministers have listened to the science and made a leap forward in addressing the climate crisis."
"But to then suggest a meagre 20% unilateral EU emissions cut, while admitting this is inadequate and that a 30% cut will be necessary, is a bizarre discrepancy," Sideridou added.
Other environmental groups, however, were more optimistic. "After the endorsement of a target for renewable energy (20% by 2020) by Energy Ministers last week, today's decision confirms the EU preparedness to fulfil its international commitments," said Stephan Singer, Head of WWF's European Climate and Energy Unit.
In separate discussions, the Environment Council said "a differentiated approach" should be adopted to determine the precise contribution to be made by each member state in achieving the overall EU emissions reduction target.
But they failed to reach agreement after smaller member states, led by Finland, expressed concerns that the burden placed on their shoulders would be disproportionate compared with larger countries.
The Council invited the Commission to start "immediately" an analysis of criteria to ensure that the EU burden is shared in "fairness and transparency" and "taking into account national circumstances".
