<p>After hearing that the European Union (EU) was set to fall halfway short of its 20% energy efficiency savings by 2020 goal, leaders of the 27 member states overhauled its energy strategy to develop one that may set it on track for 25% carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions cuts by 2020. <span>Currently, the EU as a whole is set to achieve a savings of only 8.9%, less than half its goal, while Germany, Hungary, and Poland will likely fall short by over a third.

<p>In remarks published last week, Vice Premier Li Keqiang stressed how critical energy concerns are to China's economic and foreign policy goals and suggested that China must develop a "polluters pay" system of tax reform. Li spoke to a group of scientists and government officials in December, but the state media did not publish his remarks until last Friday.

<p>Britain's proposed sale of 15% of its publicly owned forest has been delayed while the government attempts to protect public access and biodiversity.