EU ministers today formally agreed the bloc's negotiating mandate for the upcoming climate talks in Paris, including a 40-per cent cut in greenhouse gas emissions by 2030 over 1990 levels.
"We stand ready to conclude an ambitious, vast and binding global climate deal and we will settle for nothing less," EU Climate Commissioner Miguel Arias Canete told a press conference.
French Environment Minister Segolene Royal told reporters that the meeting in Brussels recommitted to the 40-per cent emissions cuts by 2030 over 1990 levels.
She also said the environment ministers agreed the planned UN accord should incorporate five-yearly reviews to ratchet up efforts to fight climate change.
Canete added that the EU would push for emissions to peak by 2020 at the latest, and have them reduced by at least 50 per cent by 2050 compared to the 1990 baseline.
"They should be near zero or below by 2100," he added.
He said the EU goals were consistent with those of the UN which seeks to keep global warming to no more than two degrees Celsius (3.6 degrees Fahrenheit) over pre-industrial levels, which scientists see as key to avoiding catastrophic drought, floods and sea level rises.
"It's a fair deal, it will get everyone on board," Canete added.
He said it offered a long-term outlook for business, markets and decision makers.
