Q&A: EU energy proposals

The European Commission says climate change is the biggest challenge facing the world and the EU's top international priority.

It has published a number of policy papers calling for major reductions in the EU's greenhouse gas emissions in coming decades, and emphasising the importance of nuclear power, clean coal technology, renewable energy, biofuels and increased energy efficiency.

Plans to further open Europe's energy market were also unveiled on Wednesday. They include measures to loosen the control that energy producers have over transmission networks, in some countries.

An overview of specific aspects of EU's energy proposal is available on the BBC website.

By: BBC