EU ups emission limits, relaxes renewables target

BRUSSELS (AP) - The European Commission is proposing tougher binding targets to limit greenhouse gas emissions but is shying away from more ambitious mandatory renewable energy goals in its fight against climate change.

The commission, the 28-nation bloc's executive arm, is calling for greenhouse gas emissions to be reduced by 40 percent by 2030 compared with 1990 levels, revised upward from its existing 2020 target of a 20 percent reduction.

But to the dismay of Germany, pro-environmentalist groups and others, it is not proposing tougher binding renewable energy targets for each nation, but only introduces a less ambitious pan-European goal of 27 percent by 2030.

Wednesday's commission proposal will shape the EU's energy and climate action policies over the coming years. The proposal still needs approval from EU governments and the European Parliament.

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