Abstract: EU leaders have committed to cut greenhouse gas emission by at least 20% of 1990 levels by 2020, regardless of what action other countries take. Meanwhile, corresponding policies and measures are set. After analyzing EU's emission changes between 1990 and 2005, the paper believes that it is almost impossible for EU15 to fulfill their commitments under the Kyoto Protocol. More stringent policies and measures should be designed for the further reduction commitment. However, proposed measures are short of confidence. New members of EU might help EU meet its first commitment, nevertheless, they will bring more challenges against EU's commitments for post-Kyoto emission reduction targets, because their emissions might be rebounded along with the social and economic development in these countries.

Key words: EU, Kyoto Protocol, second commitment period, emission reduction target