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The Rt Hon Chris Huhne MP attends first EU climate meeting

Energy and Climate Change Secretary The Rt Hon Chris Huhne MP will attend his first meeting of EU Environment Ministers on Friday 11 June …

This was published under the 2010 to 2015 Conservative and Liberal Democrat coalition government

The Rt Hon Chris Huhne MP and the Christian Aid European Football Squad

Energy and Climate Change Secretary The Rt Hon Chris Huhne MP will attend his first meeting of EU Environment Ministers on Friday 11 June in Luxembourg.

On the agenda will be the European Commission’s recent paper on the moving beyond a 20% EU emissions reduction target, as well as a discussion on the state of play of the international climate negotiations.

Speaking ahead of the meeting, Energy and Climate Secretary The Rt Hon Chris Huhne MP said:

I’ll be using my first meeting of EU environment ministers to make clear the new UK Government’s support for ambitious European action on climate change, including a 30% cut in EU emissions. The Commission’s recent analysis provides a welcome starting point as we discuss how to implement a higher target.

We believe a move to 30% is achievable, right for the climate and right for our economies as Europe focuses on a sustainable economic recovery. We can put Europe ahead of the game by taking new low carbon economic opportunities.

Europe must take a lead in securing an international climate agreement though we can’t just click our fingers and hope the rest of the world will follow. We’ve got to make real emission cuts at home, and work constructively with all other nations in achieving that ambitious deal.

The European Commission’s recent communication on the move to 30% can be found here: http://ec.europa.eu/environment/climat/future_action_com.htm

Pictures of The Rt Hon Chris Huhne MP meeting Christian Aid campaigners on Wednesday are available on DECC’s flickr feed: http://www.flickr.com/photos/deccgovuk

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Published 10 June 2010