A week away from taking up the Presidency of the EU Council, Poland has opposed a widely supported commitment to raise emission cuts.

In a meeting of EU environment ministers on Monday, all EU countries except Poland agreed in principle to the European Commission’s 2050 Low Carbon Roadmap, which calls for a 40 percent cut in carbon emissions by 2030, a 60 percent cut by 2040 and a 80 percent cut by 2050, compared to 1990 levels.

Media reports suggested a consensus was also reached concerning a target of 25 percent cut by 2020 (up from 20 percent), and was also opposed by Poland.

“We expect greater solidarity from Europe, and understanding of the situation of individual member states,” commented Environment Minister Andrzej Kraszewski in a statement.

Poland, which uses coal to produce 90 of its electricity, tends to perceive Brussels' ambitious environment policies as a threat to its economy.

“It's a dark day for Europe's leading role in tackling climate change,” said UK Energy and Climate Change Secretary Chris Huhne in a statement.

“I am deeply disappointed that the only country in the EU that could not accept a good compromise on how we can move Europe to a low carbon economy was Poland,” he said.