Efforts to weaken European ambition on climate were rejected today by the European Parliament. Green Party MEPs Ciarán Cuffe and Grace O’Sullivan voted to maintain ambition on climate action and opposed a severe weakening of the EU’s Emissions Trading System (ETS), a law that limits greenhouse gas emissions. Approving this law would have jeopardised the Paris Agreement goal to maintain global temperature increases below 1.5 degrees Celsius. This threat was introduced by the European People's Party and the far-right, under pressure from industry lobbyists who sought to extend the system of free allowances to industry for pollution until 2034. Rejected by Parliament earlier, the draft law will return to the Parliament’s Environment committee in the coming weeks for further negotiations.Ciarán Cuffe, Green MEP for Dublin, said: “We cannot compromise on the goal set out in the Paris Climate Agreement to limit climate change to a 1.5°C increase above pre-industrial levels. I am deeply frustrated by the actions of the European People's Party today. It is shameful for a party that represents so many millions to turn their back on the Paris Agreement, which is critical to safeguarding the future health of our planet. Parliament rightly rejected this, leaving hope for changes that will maintain the 1.5 degree target.” Grace O’Sullivan, Green MEP for Ireland South, said: “It's very disappointing that, in the context of a climate emergency, we are still fighting against forces determined to weaken climate legislation. The votes today on the Fit for 55 package were on an important, far-reaching suite of legislation tackling emissions. It's quite staggering that other parties have voted to allow industries to pollute, for free, until 2034. The Fit for 55 package is a once in a lifetime opportunity to cap emissions and make polluters pay. We cannot lose this chance. That's why we're going back to the negotiating table.”Green MEPs Cuffe and O’Sullivan also welcomed positive developments that will tackle the carbon footprint of cars, vans, and aviation. In particular, Parliament voted in favour of a 100% phase-out of the internal combustion engine by 2035. This will promote accelerated production of electric cars and vans in the coming years. Parliament also backed a 2025 phase-out date for free pollution permits for airlines. This will apply to intra-EU flights and flights leaving the EU.