The government will increase its greenhouse gas emissions reduction target by several points by 2030 to around 30 % less than was emitted in 1990, from the current target of 23 % less. MADRID - The Spanish government will commit to cutting emissions by about 7 % more than initially set by the end of the decade, but not as much as environmental groups have demanded, a source with direct knowledge of the talks told Reuters. The government will raise its greenhouse gas emissions reduction target by several points by 2030 to about 30 % less than was emitted in 1990, the source said, from the current target of 23 % less. The stricter target will be included in an update to Spain's climate and energy roadmap, due to be sent to Brussels by the end of June, in which targets for hydrogen and renewable energy production are also expected to be more ambitious, the source said. Madrid, like its European partners, is in the process of updating its National Energy and Climate Plan – known by its Spanish acronym PNIEC – up to 2030. The plan was formally adopted in 2021, before Russia's invasion of Ukraine disrupted the energy market and prompted Herculean efforts to wean the EU off Russian gas and accelerate the green transition. Such plans are key for companies to plan investments, as they set targets for energy efficiency and renewables, among other things. European capitals are due to submit draft updated plans to the European Commission by the end of June, with final versions due by June next year. (Pietro Lombardi, Balén Carreño, Reuters News)