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last updated 8 January 2015

Paris

European Union environment ministers said this week that their governments would cut greenhouse gas emissions by nearly one-third—if the United States and other big polluters pledged to do the same. Otherwise, the ministers said, the E.U. would stick with its earlier goal of emitting 20 percent less in 2020 than in 1990. European industry leaders opposed that 20 percent reduction goal, because it is unilateral and therefore would leave European businesses at a competitive disadvantage. Instead, they favor a global treaty on climate change, such as the Kyoto accord. The U.S. did not join that agreement.