Europe wants US, China deal on carbon emissions targets

The European Union (EU) will not turn its carbon emissions agreements into a legally binding commitment with the United Nations without the co-operation of the world’s biggest polluters, the US and China.

EU representative Artur Runge-Metzger told Reuters making emissions targets into a legally binding unilateral agreement if the US and China followed suit.

More than 120 countries signed up to the Carbon Accord that set out pledges by individual countries to reduce their carbon dioxide levels.

The EU has agreed to reduce emissions by 20 per cent on 1990 levels by 2020.

In addition, the UK, France and Germany have argued for this figure to be raised to 30 per cent.

Global leaders are due to meet towards the end of the month in Cancun, Mexico to try and make progress on climate talks that stalled at the much anticipated Copenhagen conference in December 2011.

In the US and China did meet on a number of occasions at Copenhagen but since the climate change agenda has become diluted in the US.

Copyright © 2010 NewNet

Tags: emissions, policy

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