On 26 May, the European Commission presented an analysis of the costs, benefits and options for moving beyond the EU's greenhouse gas reduction target for 2020, from 20 percent below 1990 levels to 30 percent, once the conditions are met.

At present these conditions have not been met. The analysis shows that the reduction in EU emissions as a consequence of the economic crisis, together with a drop in carbon prices, has changed estimations made two years ago. Therefore in light of the new data, an analysis of the implications of the different levels of ambition as a motor for modernising the EU economy and creating new jobs by promoting innovation in low-carbon technologies is provided.

The document also looks into the impacts of increasing the target, and the potential policy options to achieve them. Connie Hedegaard, European Commissioner for Climate Action, said, "The decision is not for now, but I hope that our analysis will inspire the debate in the Member States on the way forward."

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