The European Union (EU) forged ahead today with plans to slash carbon dioxide emissions from new cars and vans by 2030.

EU member countries and the European Parliament struck the ambitious deal late Monday that Brussels said would help the bloc meet its commitments under the Paris climate accord.

The targets will require new cars sold in 2030 to emit 37.5 percent less carbon dioxide on average compared to 2021 levels. Emissions from new vans will have to be 31 percent lower.

Miguel Arias Canete, the European Commissioner for Climate Action and Energy tweeted that with these ambitious targets, Europe is once again showing how to turn the ParisAgremeent and COP24 into action.

Ambassadors from EU countries are to expected to endorse the deal in Brussels tomorrow.