Europe reached a significant agreement to combat climate change by incentivizing east European countries to accept changes that will penalize their heavily polluting power sectors and increase electricity prices. Despite the economic crisis, the deal to reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 20% by 2020 was achieved by granting numerous exemptions for industry, leading to criticism from environmental organizations. While some view the policy as lacking leadership and effectiveness, French President Nicolas Sarkozy described it as historic, emphasizing the unprecedented nature of the binding rules adopted by the continent. The agreement was reached after a lengthy dispute between eastern and western Europe over the expenses involved. The nine eastern European countries were the final obstacle to reaching an agreement on measures to address climate change, which would increase costs for their coal-fired power industries. A portion of funds will be allocated to them from 12 percent of the revenues generated by the EU's emissions trading scheme, which requires industries to purchase permits to pollute. This financial support is intended as recognition for the significant reduction in emissions that occurred when their industries collapsed after the end of communism. Additionally, their power sectors will gradually begin to pay for emissions permits from the ETS, starting at 30 percent in 2013 and reaching 100 percent by 2020. Hungary and Italy both fought during negotiations for more money, with Italy protecting its various industries and eventually dropping its threat to block the deal. Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi stated that he couldn't veto the climate question as it would make him appear as the bad guy politically. Measures were put in place to ensure that carbon curbs wouldn't harm European industry's ability to compete internationally. Industries at risk, such as steel, aluminum, cement, and chemicals, will receive free emissions permits if they see a 5 percent increase in costs, covering over 90 percent of EU industry. A British diplomat stated that Britain successfully obtained increased funding for advanced technology aimed at capturing and storing emissions from power plants underground in exhausted North Sea gas fields. The diplomat emphasized that Prime Minister Gordon Brown viewed this initiative as a top priority due to its environmental advantages and the potential for Europe to take the lead in creating jobs and promoting economic growth.