Environment: EU struggles to meet commitments that prevent climate change

United Kingdom


The EU's strategy for meeting its commitments under the Kyoto Protocol to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (to reduce releases of six greenhouse gases by 8% by 2008-2012 from a 1990 baseline) has been published and national reduction targets finalised by the Member States. The largest reductions in carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide, hydrofluorocarbons, perfluorocarbons and sulphur hexafluoride emissions will be made by Luxembourg, Germany and Denmark. In contrast, Portugal, Spain, Greece, Ireland and Sweden will be permitted to increase releases of these gases.