Climate activists protest at EU building as leaders gather

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The EU leaders are set to debate ways for the 28-nation bloc to become carbon neutral by 2050. But poorer coal-dependent nations fear they could be hardest hit by the effort to transform their energy sources.

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A large majority of member states have committed to the goal but Poland, the Czech Republic and Hungary remain to be convinced.

“Everything has been done to get them on board, but there is no guarantee we will secure a deal,” said a EU diplomat who was not authorized to speak publicly.

In an effort to get the support of all EU members, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen unveiled on Wednesday a new “European Green Deal” with an offer of some 100 billion euros ($130 billion) to help fossil-fuel reliant EU nations that make the transition to lower emissions.

Speaking upon his arrival at the Europa building, Council president Charles Michel voiced his hopes that an agreement will be forthcoming.

“Climate neutrality is a very important goal,” he said.

“The world is on fire and our governments are letting it burn,” Greenpeace Europe Director Jorgo Riss told the AP at the scene.

He acknowledged that it’s important to go carbon neutral, but said the leaders should not “leave it to future generations to take actions. They are in power today, they need to take action today.”

Ironically, the Europa building, known locally as The Egg and about 13 storeys high, was constructed in an eco-friendly way. The facade scaled by the activists is made of restored wooden window frames from renovation or demolition sites around Europe.Its roof is covered with solar panels and the building recycles rain water.

EU leaders will also discuss their long-term budget plans, economic developments. Britain’s departure from the European Union will also be discussed in light of the country’s election results, which will start to come through around midnight.

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Lorne Cook and Samuel Petrequin contributed.

Sylvain Plazy, The Associated Press