EU Plans Tighter Emissions Targets

The European Commission has unveiled plans to slash greenhouse gas emissions by a fifth by 2020, including targets to produce renewable energy and limit harmful industrial emissions.

EU member states unable to meet mandatory renewables targets can also pay other EU countries to install wind and solar power on their behalf.

The EU proposes to cut the supply of emissions permits by 2020 by 21 percent compared to 2005 figures.

From 2013, power generating companies will pay for all permits to emit carbon dioxide, most of which they previously got for free.

By staff writer