The EU keeps the Environment as a Top Priority despite Economic Slowdown

Stephanie Adams

10, 17, 2008 5:05pm

At a recent EU summit, discussion about plans to improve the environment and the current downturn in the economy caused commotion amongst representatives of various EU members. The EU has plans to cut emissions and consumption by 20 percent and increase the amount of energy taken from renewable sources by 20 percent by the year 2020. The climate package also enforces companies that produce large amounts of pollution to pay into carbon emissions program. The EU is also considering supplying a stimulus package to European motor companies as the U.S. did recently for general motors last month. The EU hopes to make a solid decision about the climate package by mid-December 2008 and influence others like the U.S. to join around 2009 in a larger International program.

The concern that some of the EU countries have is the amount of money that has to be put into lowering emission and the state of the economy. Countries such as Italy and Poland feel that the December deadline to decide on the climate package is too soon, due the state of the economy. The President of France, Nicolas Sarkozy feels that the financial crisis cannot be a reason to not create the climate package and countries that choose to abandon the deadlines will be ridiculed. The EU expressed that they know it will be a challenge but is feasible.

http://www.theage.com.au/environment/eu-sticks-to-energy-plan-despite-economic-fears-20081017-539c.html