Greenpeace and others send emergency letter to European leaders on climate package

NGOs across Europe united today to warn their political leaders that horse trading and diplomatic brinkmanship could destroy a historic package of measures aimed at tackling climate change.

Representatives from the Climate Action Network, Greenpeace and Friends of the Earth have sent a joint letter to the heads of Europe's main institutions demanding that leaders have the courage to face down those countries determined to massively weaken the climate change deal.

The most recent draft of the package, if accepted, would result in a totally inadequate deal:

• The current proposal would allow European industries covered by the Emissions Trading Scheme (like power stations and steel works) to 'buy in' 50 per cent of their emission cuts from countries outside the EU. For sectors outside the scheme (like housing, schools and transport), the figure is at least 66 per cent.

• Some countries are pushing for a free allocation of ETS permits for new coal fired power stations. This would effectively give one of the key industries responsible for climate change billions of Euros in unwarranted, undeserved windfall profits.

Reacting to the ongoing discussions, Greenpeace executive director John Sauven said: "Europe's credibility on climate change is on the brink of collapse, and it's time for the British Government to step in and show some real leadership. Gordon Brown needs to make it clear that the UK will make dramatic cuts in our carbon emissions here in the UK, and that polluting industries like coal fired power stations will not receive windfall taxes that they do not deserve.

"Winning this fight will require vision, cooperation and leadership. What we're seeing right now is the opposite, and unless this deal is much improved, future generations will condemn us for this failure."

For more information please contact Greenpeace UK on +44 207 865 8255