Cows and cars hinder CO2 cuts

COWS and cars are Ireland’s biggest obstacle to achieving the 20% reduction in carbon emissions demanded by the European Commission according to Environment Minister John Gormley.

He was one of several ministers pushing the EU to become more flexible in the way countries achieve the new targets by 2020, saying mechanisms must not encourage food miles or have dirty fuel costing less than cleaner.

Mr Gormley also called for the EU to be more ambitious and cut emissions by 30%, as the union has already agreed to do provided the US and developing countries sign up.