Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) today again called for tougher renewable energy targets for EU countries for 2030.

A majority of MEPs voted for a law that would require 30% of Europe’s energy needs to come from renewable sources, energy efficiency to also improve by 30% and a 40% target to cut carbon emissions by 2030.

They slammed the European Commission’s recent proposal for a 27% renewable energy target and failure to set any efficiency target as “short-sighted and unambitious”.

The three-fold resolution was backed by 341 votes, with 263 against and 26 abstentions.

The MEPs are calling for the targets to be legally binding and implemented through individual national targets.

Anne Delvaux, Co-rapporteur for the Environment Committee said: “If we have a broad energy mix with greater energy efficiency, this is the best option to reduce to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, to encourage new technologies and innovation, create jobs and change our economies into greener economies. This is why we need three binding objectives.”