European Commission President Barroso at UN Climate Change Meeting

From the remarks earlier today of European Commission President José Manuel Barroso at the UN High Level Meeting on Climate Change in New York:

"The challenge of climate change can be met. But only if we act urgently, based on one shared vision for mankind. A vision of transformation from a high carbon present to a low carbon future. This in turn means–and my friends, there are no easy choices here–to set binding reduction commitments to reduce our greenhouse gas emissions.

"The EU remains firmly committed to, and will meet, its Kyoto targets. But we now need to look beyond 2012…. The European Commission is working towards a package of measures...to strengthen our emissions trading scheme. To increase energy efficiency in all sectors of the European economy. To make wider use of renewable energy. To attain a low carbon economy that is at the same time efficient and innovative….a stimulus to our mutual prosperity, not a brake on growth.

"Our ultimate success will depend on developing the carbon market. And that relies on one more X factor. Leadership. Ambitious leadership. Our best efforts, our good intentions are necessary, but not sufficient. The EU has made those commitments, and I invite others to join us."

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