The European Council has today endorsed the European Commission’s proposed emissions reduction target of at least 55% by 2030, up from 40% previously.
The council, which represents EU leaders and governments, had discussed the proposal at its previous meeting in October, but had decided to revisit the subject at the 10-11 December meeting.
EU Council president Charles Michel (pictured) said the decision makes Europe a leader in the fight against climate change.
Climate Action Network (CAN) Europe said the new goal is also a ‘net’ target and includes carbon sinks from land-use and forestry sectors.
“This means that emitting sectors, including transport where emissions have been still on the rise lately, will need to decarbonise less to reach the agreed target,” CAN Europe said.
CAN Europe director Wendel Trio said: “Reaching an agreement on the new climate target is a vital and necessary step to help limit the escalating climate crisis.
“At the upcoming Paris Agreement anniversary, the EU now needs to ensure that it convinces other major emitters to foster their climate ambition for 2030 ahead of COP26 next year.”