Poland to block new EU CO2 emission cuts targets

“We hope that Poland will join other countries in effectively combating the problems of climate change,” Climate Action spokesperson at the EC, Isaac Valero, said in Brussels, Thursday.

Poland does not want to toughen penalties for CO2 emissions as its economy is heavily reliant on based on coal.

The EC wants 40 percent cuts in CO2 emissions by 2030.

According to calculations by the National Chamber of Commerce, the cost of new, stricter targets in the EU 'climate package' would be between 44 to 52 billion zloty (10 to 12 billion euros).

“The EU should not set new targets to reduce CO2 emissions after 2020 before the global climate negotiations, which could take place in 2015,” says Environment Minister Marcin Korolec.

In the nearer future, Denmark, currently heading the EU rotating presidency and leading negotiations on the climate package wants 25 percent cuts in CO2 by 2020: previously the target was 20 percent.

Minister Korolec told the Gazeta Wyborcza daily that, “"There is no point whatsoever in gambling with the European economy's future, introducing policies that might put our industries in jeopardy versus our competitors."

Poland will also be resisting new powers be given to the EC to be able to impose legally-binding targets on individual nations. (pg)