Back then Brussels initially set a binding target of a 20 percent cut in greenhouse gas emissions from the 1990 level by 2020. But its bargaining chip was that also it would increase its emissions reduction target to 30 percent by 2020 if other major economies scaled up their targets.

It is highly possible that Brussels will play this "if you do more, I will scale up" game again in the run-up to a Paris deal. Yet even ignoring the offer as a negotiating tactic the target of a 40 percent reduction in carbon emissions by 2030 can hardly to be viewed as "ambitious" as the backbone of the EU economy is now the service sector. Like the United States and Japan, it has been outsourcing its manufacturing to Asia, Africa and Latin America by investing overseas.

Meanwhile, the economic growth rate in the EU has declined remarkably since the 2008/09 financial crisis and the debt turmoil that resulted from it. This has not only offered an opportunity for the EU to consider green stimulus for its economic expansion, but also contributed to its carbon emissions due to the reduction in its economic activities.

To be honest, the EU could do a better job of managing its green assets. For example, compared with the US, where ambition to tackle climate change will in all likelihood fall victim to party politics, it is much easier to achieve a consensus on climate actions among the politicians of the EU member states. Former US president Bill Clinton signed the Kyoto Protocol, the first international agreement on greenhouse gas control, but the US Senate refused to ratify it and then former president George W. Bush pulled the US out of the accord.

Also a market-oriented emissions control legal system, environmentally friendly technologies and the high awareness of the public have laid solid foundations for the EU to become global green leader.

However, if it is to play a bigger role in global climate governance, it should be more open-minded and turn such assets into opportunities by unveiling its highest target instead of incrementally increasing it, as this will shorten the bargaining process in the coming process, and showing greater determination to deliver green aid and clean technology to poor and developing countries.

The author is China Daily's chief correspondent in Brussels. fujing@chinadaily.com.cn