Europe sets binding energy targets

8220;We can avoid what could well be a human calamity,8221; she told a news conference, underlining that the EU had opened a new area of cooperation unthinkable a couple of years ago.

The EU package set targets for slashing greenhouse gas emissions blamed for global warming, developing renewable energy sources, boosting energy efficiency and using biofuels. Merkel scored a diplomatic victory by securing agreement to set a legally binding target for renewable fuels such as solar, wind and hydro-electric power.

Leaders accepted the target of 20 per cent of renewable sources in EU energy consumption by 2020 in return for flexibility on each country8217;s contribution to the common goal. They committed themselves to a target of reducing EU greenhouse gas emissions by 20 per cent by 2020 and offered to go to 30 percent if major nations such as the US, Russia, China and India follow suit.

The statement also set a 10 per cent target for biofuels in transport by 2020.

French President Jacques Chirac insisted at his last formal EU summit that the bloc recognise that nuclear power, which provides 70 per cent of France8217;s electricity, must also play a role in cutting greenhouse gas emissions. But several EU states are fundamentally opposed to atomic power.