Despite the economic crises, the EU has decided to stay on track with their plans for fighting climate change. Some countries are in disagreement with the EU, threatening to block a deal already made to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, using the slowing economy as an excuse. Poland and Italy in particular have complained that they cannot afford to enforce tough emissions targets on their industrial sectors becuase of the financial crisis. Other countries, such as France, disagree. France's president Sarkozy stated that the climate goals are too important to drop even if their is financial challenge. The European Commission chief agreed, saying that "we are not going to let up on the battle against climate change". Last year EU leaders agreed to reduce greenhouse gas emmissions by 20% (compared to 1990 levels), and to start using new forms of energy so that 20% of energy in the EU will come from renewable sources. In order to acheive this, the European Commission chief is pushing for the countries to come to an agreement by the end of this year.
I think that the goals for fighting climate change should be upheld no matter what happens, since they can be threatening to the whole world. It may be hard for countries enduring the economic crisis to keep up the goals currently, but in the long run there is a positive outlook if they are able to. Establishing ways to produce clean energy can even create a lot of new jobs and help out the economy.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/7673684.stm
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