Press Release: Commissioner Wallström: ‘EU cannot rely on a few Member States to reach Kyoto target’

The European Commission published its annual report on greenhouse gas emissions in December 2002. The report shows that total greenhouse gas emissions were down by 3.5% in 2000 compared to 1990. The report suggests, however, that with existing measures the EU will not reach its - 8% target under the Kyoto Protocol. The emission reductions achieved so far are mainly due to lower emissions in a few Member States (notable Germany and the UK), while several Member States are far off track in meeting their targets under the EU burden-sharing. The report also shows that the EU reduced its CO2 emissions by 0.5% between 1990 and 2000 thereby meeting its aim to stabilise these emissions in this period.