The European Council has reached an agreement on climate and energy targets, including reducing greenhouse-gas emissions by at least 40 % and increasing energy efficiency by 27 % by the end of 2030. The EU agreement has yet to be reviewed; important will be if other countries will follow Europe’s example at the global climate summit in Paris next year.

Jose Manuel Barroso, President of the European Commission said that “no player in the world is as ambitious as the EU.”

Cefic shares this ambition, but reminds that the questions are how and who will pay. Cefic Director General Hubert Mandery said: “Europe has been home for 150 years to the chemicals industry. We intend to stay in Europe. But if we can’t compete on cost, we can’t compete.”

• European Chemical Industry Council (Cefic), Brussels, Belgium
• EU leaders reach 2030 deal on climate and energy,
  Peter Teffer,
  EU observer 24.10.2014.