Friends of the Earth: Press Release: EU GREENHOUSE GAS DEAL Too Much Hot Air: Not Enough Action

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EU GREENHOUSE GAS DEAL Too Much Hot Air: Not Enough Action

17 Jun 1998

The draft deal would set the following targets for EU countries:

Country            % Change
                1990-2010
Luxembourg            -28
Denmark            -21
Germany            -21
Austria                -13
UK                 -12.5
Belgium             - 7.5
Italy                - 6.5
Netherlands            - 6
France                  0
FInland                 0
Sweden             + 4
Ireland                +13
Spain                 +15
Greece                +25
Portugal             +27

The deal represents a compromise between the poorer countries of Southern Europe,whose greenhouse gas emissions will be allowed to rise, and the richer countries of the North who will have to make cuts above the 8% average figure.

Commenting, Dr Pad Green, FOE's Senior Energy Campaigner said:
“This deal is the product of a major row between EU nations, most of whom have fought hard to avoid any radical green commitments. There has been too much hot air and not enough action. Even the 8% EU target agreed at Kyoto cannot be achieved without tough action to reform the Common Agricultural Policy as well as energy and transport policy across Europe. The EU has a long way to go before it can plausibly claim to be giving a green lead to the rest of the world.”

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Media team