THREE KEY TARGETS BY 2020

Climate change is said to be already happening - and many of the

world's most respected scientists are convinced beyond reasonable

doubt that human-made global warming represents one of the greatest

environmental, social and economic threats facing the planet.

Many research reports warn that the warming of the planet's climate

system is unequivocal, as is now evident from observations of

increases in air and ocean temperatures, widespread melting of snow

and ice, and rising sea levels.

The European Union has decided that time is running out and wants to

take the lead on climate change pledging to cut greenhouse-gas

emissions by 30% of 1990 levels by 2020.

Irrespective of support worldwide the EU has begun to implement an

action plan to transform all of Europe into a highly energy-efficient,

low-carbon economy.

EU leaders have set three key targets to be met by 2020:

(1) 20% reduction in energy consumption compared with projected trends.

(2) Increase to 20% in renewable energies' share of total energy

consumption.

(3) An increase to 10% in the share of petrol and diesel consumption

from sustainably produced biofuels.

A proposed major package of climate and energy-related legislative

proposals to implement these targets has gone before the European

Parliament and the Council of the EU.

EU sources told Daily Planet Media that every European country leader

wants an agreement to be reached on the climate package before the end

of 2008.

posted to ClimateConcern