EU presses US on climate

2009-09-01 18:18

Brussels - The European Union is urging US lawmakers to ensure the United States makes deep cuts in carbon emissions.

Sweden's Environment Minister Andreas Calgren says the 27-nation bloc, as well as the United States and other developed countries, "should deliver" on promises to cut emissions by 80% from 1990 levels by 2050.

Calgren spoke with EU lawmakers on Tuesday. He is leading the EU's negotiating team at UN talks aiming to reach a deal on a successor to the 1997 Kyoto Protocol.

The US Senate is currently drafting its own climate bill but European Parliament lawmakers fear it risks being watered down.

A bill passed by the House of Representatives would reduce emissions by 17% from 2005 levels.

- AP