The long-term climate target is intended as both a driver and a benchmark for target-setting by the EU over the medium term. The European heads of state and government agreed on the targets for 2030 in October 2014. The European Council agreed to a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions within the EU of at least 40 percent by 2030 compared with 1990. The binding target for increasing the use of renewables was set at a minimum of 27 percent of final energy consumption. The target for improving energy efficiency is also at least 27 percent (compared with the business-as-usual scenario). The German government supports raising the EU energy efficiency target for 2030 to 30 percent.