Poland could block EU climate deal

As European Union leaders meet in Brussels on Thursday to hammer out a new, ambitious plan to cut greenhouse gas emissions, they will likely be faced with opposition from Poland.

{mosads}The coal-dependent Poland and other East European countries, who argue their economies and electricity bills would take a severe hit from aggressive emissions targets, stand ready to veto the plan, The Associated Press reports.

All 28 EU countries must sign the plan, which would require they slash their greenhouse gas emissions 40 percent below 1990 levels by 2030.

Under the plan, the EU would also mandate renewable energy provide 27 percent of the lox’s needs and that energy efficiency increase by one-third over the next 16 years, according to the AP.

If Poland fights the plan, however, and a new goal is not finalized by the end of the two-day summit, it would delay the crafting of a critical foundation for a global climate deal that is expected to be reached in Paris next year.

Last month Poland and five other nations said they agree emissions should be cut to help stave off catastrophic global warming, but that they would not be coerced into a legally binding agreement that could hurt their economies.