In the Finnish view, the unilateral cut in emissions proposed by Germany, the holder of the EU Presidency, is not the best way to spur negotiations on global emissions.
To pass, the German proposal would have to have unanimous support in the European Council. According to the Finnish ministers, the model proposed by Germany would impose unreasonable burdens on Finland.
“At the very least, we must hear with what kind of a distribution of the burden this 20 percent reduction is to be achieved.” Mauri Pekkarinen, the Minister of Trade and Industry.
Pekkarinen added that he would prefer an agreement applying to all industrialised countries, in which the goal would be a reduction in emissions of 30 percent by 2020.
Environment Minister Stefan Wallin has taken a more positive view of unilateral EU action, but Pekkarinen said that the government was unanimous in the matter.
Greenpeace criticises Finland The environmental organisation Greenpeace expressed shock at the stand taken by the ministers. In the view of Greenpeace, Finland’s stand makes it more difficult for the EU to achieve a comprehensive climate treaty. YLE