European Union (EU) environment ministers struggled yesterday for a deal over a climate change and energy package that would help the 27-nation bloc to meet its emissions reduction ambitions.

The ministers were debating a proposal by the European Commission on specific measures to implement a deal reached by EU heads of state and government last year to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 20 percent by the year 2020 from 1990 levels. The leaders also agreed to save up to 20 percent of energy through more efficient use of energy and have 20 percent of renewables in total energy mix by 2020.

At their last meeting under the French EU presidency, the ministers managed to reach agreement on the majority of the issues, but have to leave the most thorny ones to the heads of state and government when then hold their summit next week.

"We have got 90 percent of the way there. The hardest points --the other 10 percent -- are best left to the heads of state and government to conclude," French Environment Minister Jean-Louis Borloo told reporters.

Germany and Poland led opposition to a key element of the package, the so-called Emissions Trading System, under which companies have to buy credits for their emissions. The two countries fear that the scheme will harm their industries.

Environment ministers from Germany and Poland did not attend yesterday's meeting.

Poland and other eastern European countries also wanted special dispensations in emission rules because of their dependence on coal for power generation.

Environment groups warned yesterday that the EU may not be able to meet its targets as a result of lack of agreement among the member states.

"It is a disgrace that just at a time when the rest of the world -- including the United States and China -- is waking up and starting to act against climate change the EU's leadership is melting away," said a joint statement of environment groups, including the WWF, Greenpeace and Friends of the Earth Europe.

"There could not be a worse time for the EU to backtrack on the commitments that it made last year. The talk led by some recalcitrant EU countries is now all about competitiveness, protectionism and creating loopholes to avoid meeting climate responsibilities. If the EU does not get its act together, the whole world stands to suffer the consequences," said the statement.