The EU has set stringent climate change targets for 2030.
Despite the UK's opposition and attempts to water-down proposals, the EU will cut its greenhouse gas emissions by 40% by 2030 compared with 1990 levels. It is also aiming to produce 27% of its energy from renewable sources by the same date.
The decision was taken in advance of a meeting of world governments to establish a global framework for avoiding dangerous levels of global warming, set to take place in Paris in 2015.
Achievable targets
The 2030 package includes a new system which can allow surplus carbon permits to be kept in check. With EU emissions likely to be 25% below 1990 levels by 2020, the target of improving energy efficiency by 25% by 2030 looks achievable.
The target has met with opposition by green campaigners hopeful of achieving stronger targets. The lack of any binding energy efficiency target (just an "indicative" improvement of 25% by 2030) "falls short of expectations of European companies will looking for a strong framework to invest and innovate in Europe," according to Harry Verhaar, head of global public and government affairs at Philips.