Ursula von der Leyen vowed on Thursday to not weaken Europe's efforts to tackle climate change, if she wins a second five-year term as President of the European Commission, the EU's most powerful body, Reuters reports.
In a document setting out her plans for a another term, before the European Parliament votes to elect or reject her later on Thursday, von der Leyen committed to propose new climate policies, including a legally-binding European Union target to cut emissions 90% by 2040.
The next EU Commission, if led by her, would continue with the EU's existing CO2-cutting policies, and propose new measures to help European industries stay competitive while they invest in curbing emissions - a "clean industrial deal" that von der Leyen pledged to deliver within her first 100 days in office.
Von der Leyen has come under pressure from some EU lawmakers to weaken parts of Europe's green agenda - including from some in her own centre-right European People's Party group. However, the document's focus on helping industries stay competitive may help hold on to votes among her conservative colleagues.
