European Union agrees new green targets

3.24.29pm UTC (GMT +0000) Mon 12th Mar 2007

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European Union leaders have agreed to adopt a binding target on the use of renewable energy, such as wind and solar power, officials say. UK PM Tony Blair said the deal was "a major step" which put the EU in a leadership position on climate change. There had been strong opposition from some countries to the proposal to boost renewable fuel use to 20% by 2020, however EU leaders agreed to both that and a target of cutting carbon dioxide emissions by 20% from 1990 levels by the same year.

Liberal Democrat Leader Ming Campbell said "This is a move in the right direction but Labour's record on the environment is appalling. Carbon dioxide emissions have increased and a new report shows that Britain is unlikely to meet its target to generate 10% of its electricity from renewable sources by 2010. Summits and targets can only go so far. We need to see action from Tony Blair in areas such as green taxation."