Setting a 30 percent reduction target for greenhouse gas emissions would benefit the European economy, a European committee said in Brussels.
A majority of the lawmakers in the European Environment Committee called for setting a 30 percent reduction target by 2020, compared with 1990 levels.
Jo Leinen, chairman of the Environment Committee, said reducing carbon dioxide emissions would help with economic recovery in the European Union.
"If the EU is not a leader in climate protection, it will be a loser in economic growth," he said in a statement.
The committee agreement on emissions in part spells out the European Union's agenda for the November climate conference in Cancun, Mexico.
EU President Jose Manuel Barroso told delegates at the Eighth Asia-Europe meeting that it was time to deliver on pledges made on fast-track financing at last year's climate conference in Copenhagen, Denmark.
The European Parliament is to vote this month on the emission agenda.
A majority of the lawmakers in the European Environment Committee called for setting a 30 percent reduction target by 2020, compared with 1990 levels.
Jo Leinen, chairman of the Environment Committee, said reducing carbon dioxide emissions would help with economic recovery in the European Union.
"If the EU is not a leader in climate protection, it will be a loser in economic growth," he said in a statement.
The committee agreement on emissions in part spells out the European Union's agenda for the November climate conference in Cancun, Mexico.
EU President Jose Manuel Barroso told delegates at the Eighth Asia-Europe meeting that it was time to deliver on pledges made on fast-track financing at last year's climate conference in Copenhagen, Denmark.
The European Parliament is to vote this month on the emission agenda.
