Members of the European Parliament have voted to increase the share of renewable energy to 42.5% by 2030 as a part of the Renewable Energy Directive, a legal framework governing the development of clean energy across sectors driving the economy.

The framework was agreed upon by the Parliament and the European Council in March this year in a bid to increase the European Union’s binding target from 32%.

The legislation has been formally endorsed by the Council.

As of 2021, the share of renewable energy in the EU’s total energy consumption was 21.8%.

The legislation to increase the share by nearly 20% also mandates national authorities to take not more than 12 months to grant permits to new renewable energy projects such as solar and wind, provided they are located in “renewable go-to areas” that are specified locations conducive for the installation and operation of these projects.

By 2030, the transport sector’s usage of renewable energy sources is expected to decrease greenhouse gas emissions by 14.5%. The sector is expected to see fossil fuels replaced with advanced biofuel or even hydrogen.

This comes months after the EU Parliament approved a new law that bans the sale of new petrol and diesel cars from 2035, aimed at cutting out 100% of emissions from passenger and commercial vehicles or vans.

Member states were also encouraged to strive to achieve a 45% share of renewable energy. It was also decided that they should set an indicative target for innovative renewable energy technology of at least 5% of newly installed renewable energy capacity, as well as a binding framework for cross-border energy projects.

This legislation builds upon the Fit for 55 package adopted by the EU to ensure its policies across climate, energy, land use, transport, and taxation are aligned with the goal of reducing net greenhouse gas emissions by at least 55% in the next seven years. The new targets are also expected to increase the production and deployment of domestic clean energy in the EU.