The European Commission forecast Tuesday that EU-15 emissions will reach
just short of the collective target of 8% below 1990 levels by 2008-2012
through measures already in place, but additional measures will allow the
region to meet its target.

In its annual report detailing the progress towards its Kyoto Protocol
objectives, the EC said "the latest projections from member states indicate
that measures already taken, together with the purchase of emission credits
from third countries and forestry activities that absorb carbon from the
atmosphere, will cut EU-15 emissions in 2010 to 7.4% below levels in the
chosen base year (1990 in most cases)--just short of the 8% reduction target
for 2012."

"Additional policies and measures under discussion at EU and national
levels will allow the target to be reached and even take the reduction to
11.4% if implemented promptly and fully," the Commission added.

EC environment commissioner Stavros Dimas urged member states to adopt
additional actions to achieve the target. "The Commission has already made a
significant contribution to reaching the Kyoto target through its decisions on
national allocations under the EU Emissions Trading System for 2008-2012," he
said.

The European Union adopted a collective target under the Kyoto Protocol
that covered the 15 older member states. The 12 newer members of the Union
have individual reduction targets under Kyoto, but also participate in the EU
Emissions Trading Scheme, under which they assume different reduction targets
as pat of the EU's "burden sharing" agreement.