Ministers from European Union countries will meet this week to attempt to agree joint plans to fight climate change, with some diplomats saying countries under economic pressure might water down some of the most ambitious targets proposed by Brussels.
The previously scheduled meeting by EU energy ministers will also give them a chance to discuss emergency plans to reduce gas demand, which Brussels is expected to draw up in coming weeks in case of further cuts in supply from Russia.
Energy ministers are expected to back targets proposed by the EU Commission last year to get 40% of energy from renewable sources and cut energy consumption 9% against expected levels by 2030. The draft agreements would make some targets voluntary rather than legally binding, including a target to reduce primary energy consumption and a target for renewables to account for 2.6% of transport fuels by 2030.