Europe could set climate deal next week

The European Union is on track to agree on a new policy to reduce greenhouse gas emissions next week, a top official said.

European Climate Commissioner Connie Hedegaard told Reuters that she expects the agreement, which will be effect from 2020 to 2030, despite some concerns from member countries.

{mosads}“There should not be problems that could not be overcome,” Hedegaard said in France, according to Reuters.

“It should be feasible to agree on a 40 percent domestic greenhouse gas target and a very strong signal on efficiency and renewables,” she said.

If Europe is successful, it would become the first major international bloc to come up with commitments ahead of next year’s United Nations meeting on climate, at which leaders hope to set an international climate policy.

But if no deal is reached, Hedegaard said she fears it would destroy momentum for Europe going into next year’s Paris meeting.

The European Commission wants EU leaders to agree to three goals for the 2030 timeframe: cut greenhouse gas emissions 40 percent from 1990 levels, improve energy efficiency by 30 percent, and increase renewable energy to 27 percent of capacity.

Poland has objected because it depends largely on coal for electricity generation, Reuters reported.

That is just one of many “legitimate concerns” Hedegaard identified, according to Reuters. Other countries object to the costs and energy efficiency component.