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EU digs in on CO2 goals

17 December 2007

The EU is sticking to its guns over numerical targets for developed nations on cuts in greenhouse gas emissions.

On the last day of talks, environment commissioner Stavros Dimas said: "We continue to insist on including a reference to an indicative emissions reduction range for developed countries for 2020."

Although declining to restate demands for 25 to 40 per cent below 1990 levels by 2020 in any final text to come out of the meeting, the EU has threatened to boycott US-sponsored climate talks next month unless the country agrees to a 'road map' for slashing greenhouse gases.

Sigmar Gabriel, a top EU environment official, said: "No result in Bali means no Major Economies Meeting. This is the clear position of the EU. I do not know what we should talk about if there is no target.''

The US has invited 16 major economies, including EU countries, Japan, China and India, to discuss a programme of voluntary cutbacks in greenhouse gas emissions.

America, Japan, Russia and several other governments have refused to back calls for a 25-40 per cent cut from 1990 levels by 2020.

Yvo de Boer, the UN's climate chief, has said he feared a schism between the US and EU would derail any chance of a consensus emerging in Bali.

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