EU leaders adopt ‘flexible’ energy and climate targets for 2030

EU leaders have committed by 2030 to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by at least 40%, and increase energy efficiency and renewables by at least 27%.

French President François Hollande said the deal would send a clear message to big polluters such as China and the United States ahead of UN talks in Paris next year to agree global legally binding greenhouse gas emissions.

A special “flexibility clause” was added to the final text, making it possible for the European Council to return to the targets after the UN summit in December 2015.

But Hollande told reporters that the clause was not dependent on the Paris talks, as the Council can revisit the targets anytime.

Source: ecee.org and others