Financial Times: Poland warns EU on climate policy

Coal-dependent Poland has warned fellow European Union member states against “gambling with the European economy’s future” as it seeks to thwart a campaign to deepen the bloc’s cuts in greenhouse gas emissions linked to climate change

Both sides are braced for a showdown on Friday when environment ministers gather in Brussels to determine the future course of the EU’s climate policy.

Denmark, the current holder of the EU’s rotating presidency, is leading a campaign to endorse a move to a 25 per cent cut in emissions from 1990 levels by 2020 – above the 20 per cent target European leaders agreed in 2008. It has rallied support from most member states, as well as the Commission, the EU’s executive arm.

But Poland, which generates 90 per cent of its electricity from coal, one of the most polluting energy sources, has emerged as the chief obstacle to the plan.  MORE (Registration required)