EU backs climate change measures

BRUSSELS, March 4 (UPI) -- The European Union has voted to support climate change proposals to cut emissions and increase energy efficiency.

While environment officials from the EU's 27 member sates supported major issues, Eastern European ministers showed concern about the carbon dioxide emissions trading scheme designed to curb industrial pollution, the EU Observer said Tuesday.

The newspaper said the emissions trading scheme aims to cut greenhouse gas emissions 20 percent from 1990 levels over the next 12 years. Critics said the plan needs to account for differences in local economies because central Europe has a higher concentration of energy-intensive industries.