EU environment ministers on Friday endorsed the bloc’s promise to slash greenhouse gas emissions by 40 percent by 2030, compared to Europe’s 1990 levels.<br /><br />The target has to be achieved domestically rather than through offsets that allow member states to buy into carbon-cutting schemes outside Europe.<br /><br />French Energy Minister Segolene Royal told reporters in Brussels: I think that Europe is facing up to its responsibilities. That it is aware that it is the source of a lot of greenhouse gas emissions since the start of the Industrial Revolution.<br /><br />“It is also aware that it has the biggest responsibilities to face up to in order to get the rest of the world on board,” she said<br /><br />The plan to cut Europe’s emissions levels was finally agreed by EU leaders back in October.<br /><br />But Germany reckons there could be scope for even further negotiation. <br /><br />“if other countries come up with more ambitious reduction plans, we will think again about even more ambitious measures,” said the country’s environment
