Isra-Mart srl: Poland blocks deeper EU emissions cuts

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Poland has thwarted an attempt to beef up the EU's carbon-cutting targets, drawing sharp criticism from the UK energy and climate change secretary Chris Huhne.

Just days before Poland ascends to a six-month presidency of the EU, it made an isolated stand against the European Commission's Roadmap to 2050 document, which says the bloc must exceed its target of reducing emissions by 20 per cent by 2020 if it is to achieve an 80 per cent cut in time for 2050.

The UK and other supportive countries have been pushing for the EU to raise its goal to 30 per cent by 2020, although more fossil-fuel dependent countries and energy commissioner Günter Oettinger fear such deep cuts could harm industry.

EU environment ministers yesterday agreed a compromise figure of 25 per cent cuts on 1990 levels, which would not have been a binding target, but a milestone along the way to the 2050 goal.

This was accepted by 26 out of 27 countries with Poland, which produces around 90 per cent of its electricity from coal, the lone opponent. Proposals need to be unanimously supported to be taken forward, and UK officials are now resigned to little action being taken until Denmark takes over the presidency in January 2012.

UK energy and climate change minister Chris Huhne called the failure to agree a compromise target a "dark day for Europe's leading role in tackling climate change" and promised to keep pushing for deeper cuts

"The UK, together with its European colleagues, will continue to make the economic case for tighter EU carbon targets, so that we can make the most of the future green economy," he said. "Delay and blockage is a recipe for increased costs and missed opportunities."

EU climate commissioner Connie Hedegaard admitted the outcome was "disappointing," while campaign group WWF's energy chief Jason Anderson condemned Poland for "showing a shocking disregard for climate protection and economic revitalisation".

However, Polish environment minister Andrzej Kraszewski said the potential impact of such cuts on particular countries required more analysis. "We expect greater solidarity within Europe and an understanding of the situation of specific member states," he said.