EU aims at being climate pioneer, despite problems

Climate package to be compiled this year

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The European Union will not falter in fighting climate change, insisted the leaders of Finland and 26 other EU member states in Brussels on Thursday.
      The summit held on to the goal set a year earlier to cut carbon dioxide emissions by 20 per cent from the 1990 level by 2020.
      The proportion of renewable sources in the energy mix is to be increased. However, becoming the world's forerunner in climate issues is not easy.
      The EU has set as its goal the completion of a climate and energy package by the end of the year. The schedule is tight, and conflicts are to be expected among the member states, each of which have their own interests to protect.
     
Finland is most concerned about the competitiveness of its energy-intensive industries. If the European forest and metals industries need to pay for their emission rights, they will end up in a difficult position in international competition.
      Finland would like as quick a decision as possible on special considerations for its heavy industry.
      If no international treaty is reached before that, special arrangements will be needed for securing competitiveness, say Finland and seven other industrialised countries.
      Commission President José Manuel Barroso does not foresee a rapid solution in the near future.
      "We do not want our industry to move elsewhere, but there is still time for consideration", Barroso said before the meeting began on Thursday.
     
The Commission hopes that an international agreement will be reached on climate matters by the end of next year. Negotiations are already taking place.
      If such a broad agreement is reached, energy-intensive industry in the EU would not need special consideration, as everyone would be in the same boat.
      The demands of Finland, Germany, and other countries with plenty of heavy industry have raised a few grumbles even among some EU countries.
      Some accuse the group of protectionism, while others say that the goals on emissions cannot be reached if a large part of industry gets special consideration.


Previously in HS International Edition:
  Study: Emissions trade could cost Finnish industry billions (13.3.2008)
  EU energy package to hit consumers in coming years (24.1.2008)

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