The European Union appears to be proactive at adopting measures that would curb the emission of heat-trapping gases with its leaders striking a deal that obliges the 28-state block to reduce carbon emissions and go for cleaner and more efficient energy.

Greenhouse gases have been largely blamed for global warming, a phenomenon feared to cause food shortages, destructive environmental events and even international instability. 

EU leaders agreed at the European Council Summit in Brussels on Friday to reduce the emission of greenhouse gases across EU member states targeting a reduction of at least 40 percent below the 1990 baseline by 2030.

"I am happy to announce tonight that the European Council has agreed on a Climate and Energy deal for Europe for the period 2020 to 2030," European Council president Herman Van Rompuy said [pdf] in a statement. "It sets Europe on an ambitious yet cost-effective climate and energy path."

Besides the clear objective of countering climate change, the pact agreed upon by the EU leaders was also aimed at setting an example for other nations ahead of a United Nations climate summit which will be hosted by France in December next year. Connie Hedegaard, climate commissioner of the EU, said that the deal marks an important step for the whole world.

"We have sent a strong signal to other big economies and all other countries: we have done our homework, now we urge you to follow Europe's example," Hedegaard said.

Besides reducing greenhouse gas emission, the deal also aims at increasing EU's use of clean energy targeting an increase in renewables from the current share of 14 percent to 27 percent by 2030.

Poland, which rely heavily on coal for electricity, argued that the transition would be too fast for EU's member countries that are still growing their economies and restructuring old industries that depend on energy citing that green energy such as solar panels and wind farms are too prohibitive for energy production.

Van Rompuy, however, said that lower-income EU member states will get extra support through adequate targets and additional funds so they can catch up in the transition to clean energy.

The deal also aims at improving electricity interconnection by 2030 as well as increase EU's energy efficiency by at least 27 percent through innovations and behavioral changes among consumers.

"To go back to our Danish household, both "switch-off the lights" and "improve the light-bulbs," Van Rompuy said.