EU Climate Change Pose Problems for UK

UK Prime Minister Gordon Brown gave his assurance that the UK is committed to developing renewable energy but admitted EU targets were "ambitious".

The statement came in response to reports by the UK's Guardian newspaper who published claims by UK ministers that the country would miss EU targets by a wide margin.

Responding to the claims about "completely unreachable" European climate change targets, the Prime Minister said it was no secret that "it would be a major challenge" to meet them.

He added that the targets have to be met not only by the UK but by all EU member states.

He also said that it was now time for the European Commission to propose how the EU-wide target is met by all member states. The targets include a 20% reduction in EU greenhouse gas emissions, compared with 1990 levels or 30% if other developed nations agree to the terms.

An increase in the use of renewable energy and a 20% increase in energy efficiency are also included.

Ex-Prime Minister Tony Blair signed up to the EU targets in March this year shortly before resigning in June.

Reported by Ozge Ibrahim