EU says Spain, Italy may put climate target at risk

PanARMENIAN.Net - The European Union's environmental agency says Spain and Italy could hinder the EU from achieving its greenhouse emissions target under a UN climate pact, according to The Associated Press.

The European Environment Agency said the debt-ridden countries are not on track to make the emissions cuts required by the Kyoto Protocol, and have not bought enough credits to offset the shortfall.

Such credits allow countries to offset their own emissions through CO2-reducing investments in developing countries.

Though the EU is on track to meet its overall target, its members must also meet their individual goals. In a report Wednesday, Oct 24, the EEA said that current gaps in Italy and Spain, if not addressed through Kyoto credits, could put the EU commitment at risk.

Though Kyoto expires this year, countries can use the offset mechanism until 2015.