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Coal-dependent #Poland blocks EU climate deal - for now

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Greenpeace protest on the Europa building ahead of the European Council summit

After much debate, the European Council acknowledges that Poland is unable to sign up to a commitment to climate neutrality by 2050 - for now. At the 1:00 am press conference, President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen said that Poland needs time to go through the details and it hopes that it will make the commitment to this goal by the summit in June 2020. 

In its conclusions the heads of government recognized the need to put in place an 'enabling framework' that will include 'adequate instruments, incentives, support and investments to ensure a cost-effective, just, as well as socially balanced and fair transition, taking into account different national circumstances in terms of starting points.'

Other countries that expressed concerns about the target were the Czech Republic and Hungary who were reassured that nuclear energy would be recognized as a technology that reduces greenhouse gas emissions and that it remains - as it does today - up to EU countries to decide on whether or not nuclear energy should be part of their national energy mix.

Nevertheless, Von der Leyen said the summit deal reached by the 26 leaders allowed the European Commission to present a proposal in January for the Sustainable European Investment Plan and a Just Transition Fund. In March, the European Commission will present its first climate law based on the 2050 goal.

Journalist Dave Keating captured the Greenpeace protests before the EUCO summit:

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