TALK TALKED, WALK UNWALKED


European Commission President José Manuel Durão Barroso wants the EU to commit to a 20 percent reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2020 (30 percent if the other developing countries come on board). He has established a panel to advise the EU on energy and climate change:

The 11-member team, which met for the first time on Tuesday and has another meeting scheduled for May, includes former chief World Bank economist Sir Nicholas Stern, author of an influential report last year on the economic benefits of fighting climate change.

But like Al Gore, Barroso's an energy hypocrite:

Rejecting calls to lead by example and change his gas-guzzling SUV for a more eco-friendly vehicle Mr Barroso said "I believe in the freedom of citizens" adding that they should not be forced to have a "certificate of good behaviour" on green issues.

His dreadnaught-like Touareg SUV belches out at least 265g of CO2/km, stratospherically above European car makers' voluntarily agreed 2008/2009 vehicle emissions target of 140g CO2/km. Good on ya, José.

Oh, by the way, Barroso wants the 20 percent greenhouse gas reduction as proof of Europe's environmentalist credibility. How ironic.