EU To Meet Kyoto Targets

Europe will meet its international commitment to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, announced the European Environmental Agency (EEA) on November 12. Under the 1997 Kyoto Protocol, the 15 initial members of the European Union pledged to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions to eight percent below 1990 levels. Currently, the nations expect to reduce emissions to 13 percent below 1990 levels. Out of the 15 countries, France, Germany, Greece, Sweden, and the UK have already met their targets. All other nations, except Austria, expect to meet their targets by 2012. EEA Executive Director Jacqueline McGlade says these results should encourage other countries to set higher goals for reducing greenhouse gas emissions.