EU ministers agree carbon emissions target

EU environment ministers have unanimously backed ambitious targets to cut greenhouse gas emissions by 20%.

The meeting in Brussels began the touchy process of determining which states should carry the heaviest burden to combat climate change.

The 27 ministers supported a binding commitment to cut the bloc's emissions unilaterally by at least 20% by 2020 compared to 1990 levels.

They also backed a call for industrialised nations to reduce emissions of the gases blamed for heating the earth by 30% over that period, a goal the EU would match if other rich nations such as the US joined in.

The targets are expected to form the basis of the EU's negotiating position for a global agreement to cut emissions after 2012, when the first period covered by the Kyoto Protocol on climate change ends.

Ireland supported the 20% cut, but Sweden and Denmark wanted a 30% cut irrespective of whether or not other countries joined in.

Ministers were also discussing plans to ensure that bio-fuels make up 10% of transport fuel by 2020 and that alternative energy, such as wind and solar power, comprises 20% of the EU's energy needs by 2020.

But again there were differences of opinion as to whether these targets should be binding or not.

Ireland is already falling behind in its Kyoto target of 13% above 1990 levels, with the latest figures showing Ireland at 25.4% and with further projections that we could hit 28% above 1990 levels.

Failure to agree on GM flower importation

The ministers earlier failed to reach a decision on imports of genetically-modified carnations today.

Australian biotech company Florigene wants to export modified carnations. Marketed as Moonlite, the flowers are modified to produce blue pigment and also carry a herbicide-resistant gene.

The company filed an application with the EU so it could export the flowers for sale and distribution. It did not ask permission to grow the flowers in the EU.

A European Commission spokeswoman said there was no qualified majority for or against the request, due to continuing deep divisions over biotech policy.