Long term qualms
The eu, considered a vanguard in the fight against climate change, has faltered; or so it seems. Environment ministers of 25 eu member states recently agreed to achieve substantial cuts in the emission of greenhouse gases: 15-30 per cent by 2020 and 60-80 per cent by 2050 on base levels set by the Kyoto Protocol, the global treaty to fight climate change. But following a two-day meet, eu heads of state and government backtracked on the 2050 target.
The eu leaders argued that the "spirit' of the environment ministers' 2050 target was important. "These reduction ranges will have to be viewed in the light of future work on how the objective can be achieved, including the cost-benefit aspect.' Greens alleged Germany and Austria had caused the setback, under pressure from their coal industry. Earlier , the eu had blocked the uk's plan to raise its industry's carbon emission targets (see Down To Earth,