The European Commission will on Wednesday present individual targets for reducing CO2 emissions for each of the 27 member states as part of the EU's goal to cut overall emissions by 20 percent from 1990 levels by 2020.

The EU aims to raise renewable energy use to 20 percent across the bloc over the next 12 years. Over the same period, Denmark is expected to be asked to raise its renewable energy consumption from its current 17 percent level to a whopping 32 percent.

"At the European Summit last March, we decided that we would take into account the efforts already made by the member states (on renewable energy). We insist that the EU respect this decision," Rasmussen told reporters.

Denmark and other wealthy EU countries that are expected to be asked to bear the brunt of the emission cuts have complained that their previous efforts have not been taken into account.

In contrast, poorer nations that have so far done little to slash green house gases would under the plan be allowed to increase their emissions.

Copenhagen particularly opposes a Commission suggestion to base the national targets on gross domestic product (GDP).

Rasmussen on Tuesday cautioned that negotiations following the presentation of the Commission's proposal could be "very difficult."

"We want to ensure through these negotiations that (the burden) is fairly distributed" between the member states, he said.

Denmark, he added, "wants to show a good example, but at the same time needs to make sure there is a good balance and that all the countries carry a fair portion of the load."

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