EU leaders have agreed a bold agenda for sustainable growth and energy access ahead of the Rio+20 summit, the Guardian reports.
The EU's "agenda for change" proposal calls for pumping foreign aid into sustainable growth and energy access, helping to provide renewable electricity to the world's neediest people and strengthening the United Nations environment body.
The paper says European environment commissioner Janez Potocnik reaffirmed the EU's pledge to provide the equivalent of 0.7 per cent of gross national income for aid to the world's poorest countries.
"The potential for investment and gains are massive compared to official development assistance. But at the same time the poorest countries need help, to make this promise good," Potocnik said.
