EU to Demand 30% Emissions Cut

The European commission today unveils an energy blueprint that calls for deep cuts in greenhouse gas emissions, more use of renewable sources and increased competition.

Commissioners are expected to endorse a plan that calls for all developed countries to cut 1990-level emissions by 30% by 2020.

At the same time, the commission is set to propose that the EU set a target to cut its own emissions by 20% during the same period, with the possibility of increasing that target if the international community agrees to a broader cut.

Environmentalists criticised the commission for setting an internal target below the one it seeks for the world as a whole.

"We think that this is a political and scientific blunder," said Mahi Sideridou, the climate policy director at Greenpeace in Brussels.

The EU has repeatedly said the US - the world's biggest polluter - and other major economies will have to play their part on climate change.

"The world has changed and now it's high time for Europe to have an energy policy to fight climate change, reduce the risk of our external dependency, and increase the competitiveness of the European economy," said Ferran Tarradellas Espuny, a spokesman for the energy commissioner, Andris Piebalgs.

The vulnerability of EU energy supplies has been highlighted recently by a dispute between Russia and Belarus that has hit oil exports to several EU nations, including Germany and Poland. A similar row between Russia and Ukraine a year ago also disrupted supplies to some EU countries.

The commission is also expected to set targets for the use of biofuels and the amount of EU energy consumption that should come from renewable sources such as wind.

The EU has sought to play a leading role in climate change by introducing an emissions trading scheme (ETS), in which businesses are allocated carbon emission allowances. The scheme penalises heavy polluters financially as they have to buy extra permits if they exceed their allowances.

To make energy markets more efficient, the commission wanted to break up huge power companies such as Germany's E.ON, separating their generation and distribution businesses to avoid a conflict of interest.

But given German and French opposition to the idea, the commission is set to recommend the lesser option of utilities handing over management of grid businesses while retaining ownership.

Brussels will also look at strengthening the role of regulators to promote the development of a smoothly functioning internal EU market for electricity and gas.

The package of measures will have to be approved by European governments before it can come into force.