The vote on Monday evening was 55 votes to 32 in favour of a target that is in line with what member states' environment ministers agreed on last week. It means cutting emissions by 90 percent by 2040, compared to 1990 levels, and postponing a new emissions trading scheme for transport and housing until 2028.
The line was chosen despite the fact that the person responsible for the committee's consideration – Czech far-right MP Ondrej Knotek – advocated that the entire climate law should be repealed.
"In many ways, we chose between plague and cholera, to either agree to the new climate goal with lowered climate ambitions, or vote down the goal altogether," notes Swedish member Emma Wiesner (C) in a comment.
The full parliament will next take a position in a vote on Thursday.
