Eastern EU states unite for overhaul of CO2 curbs

By Pete Harrison

PARIS (Reuters) - The European Union geared up on Friday for deep cuts in greenhouse gases as eight ex-communist states sought help in overhauling their infrastructure for a low-carbon future.

France, which took over the EU's rotating presidency this week, has made climate change its top priority and hosted a meeting on the outskirts of Paris to identify the main areas of disagreement.

Environment ministers said the main concerns were how to protect industry from rivals in other countries with less strict environmental standards, as well as a growing rift between east and western Europe over the mechanism for curbing emissions.

The EU plans to cut carbon dioxide emissions by a fifth by 2020 compared to 1990 levels.

The goal would be raised to 30 percent in the event of an international climate accord, which many of the ministers now see as probable with both U.S. presidential candidates focused on climate change.

"We will now prepare ourselves for the 30 percent in the EU," Swedish Environment Minister Andreas Carlgren told reporters.

His French counterpart Jean-Louis Borloo agreed, saying: "All the countries want more, faster and stronger."

Energy ministers also pledged to make their target of improving energy efficiency by a fifth by 2020 legally binding.