One year on from EU climate law, Brussels defends emissions plan

FILE PHOTO: European Commissioner for European Green Deal Frans Timmermans speaks during a media conference on a new EU strategy on adaptation to climate change at EU headquarters in Brussels, Belgium February 24, 2021. Olivier Matthys

BRUSSELS (Reuters) - European Union plans to cut emissions at least 55% this decade are in line with science and globally agreed climate targets, the bloc's green policy chief said on Thursday, as lawmakers and member states continue to wrangle over the goal.

To get on track to become climate neutral by 2030, Europe needs to slash emissions this decade faster than previously planned - although exactly how much faster is still up for debate.