Council and Commission statements - Preparation of the European Council
(Brussels, 13-14 March 2008)
EU leaders will meet in Brussels for the European Council spring summit
on Thursday and Friday. Once again the climate change policies of the Union will be at the centre of debate. The far-reaching Climate Change Package that the European Commission presented in January is under heavy attack from several sides. Seven of the new member states want to water down the ambitious goals set out by the Commission.
Germany and France struck a deal to go for less rigid limits on car emissions and Industry Commissioner Günter Verheugen wants large exemptions for big industry. The Greens are asking EU leaders to stay the course and make the EU the leading force in the fight against climate change.
