Members of the Environment and Energy Committee today agreed to set targets of reducing emissions by 40% – by getting 30% of the EU’s energy from renewable sources and reducing energy use by 40% by 2030.

Though the agreement fell short of Green MEPs’ calls for targets of reducing emissions by 60% and obtaining 45% of energy from renewable sources, they welcomed the vote.

London’s Green MEP Jean Lambert said: “It is vital that the EU shows real leadership ahead of the crucial global climate negotiations scheduled for Paris next year.

“Having strong binding targets on reducing energy use and CO2 emissions and using more renewable energy is needed for that to happen – and though we think the targets supported by MEPs today aren’t high enough, we welcome the fact that the principle of tough targets has been accepted, despite opposition from the UK Tories.

“I hope the European Parliament as a whole will endorse them next month – and the European Commission will, in due course, adopt them.”

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