EU agrees renewable energy to provide a fifth of needs by 2020

BRUSSELS (AFP) – EU governments and the European Parliament agreed Tuesday on a bill obliging Europe to use renewable sources for 20 percent of its energy needs by 2020, negotiators told AFP.

The goal, which will require major efforts from most member states, is part of a wider EU climate change package which aims to cut greenhouse gas emissions by 20 percent by 2020 and make 20 percent cuts in energy use.

The total package will be thrashed out by EU leaders at a summit in Brussels on Thursday and Friday, but agreement on the renewables target will make that task a little easier.

The deal will mean significant European investment in wind, wave, solar and, where possible geothermal power,

The negotiators -- from the 27 member states, the EU commission and the European Parliament -- notably agreed on the use of biofuels, which the green lobby has criticised as "wrong-headed" due to the farming land which will be required.

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