Ministers toughen stance on emissions

Europe’s targets for cutting greenhouse gas emissions should be drastically toughened, the Environment Ministers from France, Germany and the United Kingdom said in a joint FT article, July 2010. The Ministers call for the EU to slash emissions by 30% by 2020, instead of the current 20% target. Some analysts said that this was a surprise development that would leave businesses fuming.

Subsequently, business groups across the European Union reacted angrily to the proposals, calling them 'absurd', 'alarming' and 'naive'.

ESO: Background information: EU chief urges more ambitious carbon target http://www.europeansources.info/record/eu-chief-urges-more-ambitious-carbon-target/

EurActiv, 15.7.10: EU's 'big three' issue joint call for 30% CO2 cuts http://www.euractiv.com/en/climate-environment/eus-big-three-issue-joint-call-30-emissions-target-news-496377

United Kingdom: DECC: Press Notice: No.10/82 (15.7.10): Huhne makes European push on climate change http://www.decc.gov.uk/en/content/cms/news/pn10_82/pn10_82.aspx

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