European climate action commissioner Connie Hedegaard kicks off our feature on the 2030 framework for climate and energy policies by saying that new targets strike the "right balance". The Danish official says she hopes the EU's ambition will "be seen as a benchmark and an important driver" in promoting climate and energy preparations in other countries. Hedegaard stresses that the 2030 targets send a "clear signal" that the EU is taking account of its "global responsibility".
Parliament's co-rapporteurs on the 2030 framework Anne Delvaux and Konrad Szymanski also give us their views following parliament's plenary vote on their own initiative report. Delvaux raises concerns that the commission's proposal would "sideline" parliament, while Szymanski says the 2030 deal has failed to learn from "past mistakes".