Governments urge Timmermans to raise Europe's Paris commitment

Ministers from eight EU governments have called on European Commission vice-president elect Frans Timmermans to increase the bloc’'s 2030 emission reduction target by 15 points to 55%, while NGOs are seeking his support to prevent development bank funding for fossil fuels.

Timmermans, who faces a confirmatory hearing in front of the European Parliament's environment and industry committees on Tuesday evening, is set to become the fulcrum of EU climate and environment policy, having been tasked with implementing the European Green Deal.