European Union environment ministers met in Luxembourg Monday to discuss how to reach targets to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 20 percent by 2020. Italy is objecting to the deal in its present form on the grounds that it would be too costly at a time of global financial turmoil. Critics are claiming the financial crisis makes it very difficult to make the necessary big investments in clean energy. Geoffroy De Schutter of the World Wildlife Fund urged the ministers to take action.

Geoffroy De Schutter: '’The climate change is faster and more important than previously thought by the IPCC. So, scientists are demonstrating it's going faster, and so there is an urgency. What we are asking the European Commission for is to drastically reduce CO2 emissions and commit to a reduction superior to 20 percent, around 30 percent, and to enter into a new economy. And you see that the financial crisis and the stakes there encourage us to change the system. Today, we have to accept the necessity to change the system and commit to CO2 emission reduction.’’