EU announces plans to fight climate change

BRUSSELS, Feb. 9 (UPI) -- The European Commission announced Wednesday new proposals to fight climate change and reduce emissions after the Kyoto Protocol expires in 2012.

"Fighting climate change is not a matter of choice, but a matter of necessity," said EU Environment Commissioner Stavros Dimas. "We will continue to lead by example, but we will also continue to pressure hard for all of our international partners to come on board."

Under the Kyoto Protocol, which becomes effective Feb. 16, industrialized countries will be required to reduce emissions. However, due to the expiration of the protocol in 2012, the commission has already begun plans to meet its goal of limiting the global average temperature increases to a maximum of 2 degrees Celsius.

"I am convinced that it is still possible to keep our commitment of limiting temperature increases to a maximum of 2 degrees Celsius. What is more, our projections indicate that the costs associated with the post-2012 strategy outlined today are manageable for our economies," said Dimas.

Post-2012 proposals will be discussed during the Spring Council this year. Heads of state are expected to outline specific strategies that will allow the EU to develop energy efficiency programs, secure its energy supply and develop climate-friendly technologies aimed at meeting its target.