The European Union’s executive is poised to propose spending 25 percent of funds available in next EU multi annual budget on activities related to climate protection, making sure new economic and political challenges don’t weaken the bloc’s resolve to fight pollution. The European Commission’s blueprint for the 2021-2027 budget, to be proposed on May 2, will boost the funds for reducing emissions and adapting to climate change. The funds will be earmarked under policies such as regional aid, transport, research and external relations. While Europe’s political priorities are changing with the Brexit, the EU wants to continue leading global efforts to reduce greenhouse gases and seeks to cut dependence on fossil fuels, shifting to cleaner renewable energy sources. The bloc aims to lower carbon emissions by at least 40 percent by 2030 compared with 1990 levels and to boost the share of renewables to at least 27 percent of energy consumption. – Bloomberg