The European Parliament has decided to start working on an energy reduction plan aimed at cutting its carbon footprint by 30 per cent in 12 years' time.

The EP said it made the decision to demonstrate its commitment to the fight against climate change and to lead by example.

A fully-fledged strategy will be announced early next year allowing the EP to go further than the unilateral objective of the EU to achieve a reduction of at least 20 per cent in its emissions by 2020.

The EP commissioned a feasibility study last year when it undertook to cut its greenhouse gas emissions by 30 per cent between now and 2020.

Changing behaviour, increasing the energy efficiency of its buildings and using renewable energy sources are among the options on the table, given that, in order to exploit its full potential to reduce its emissions, it will have to act in those areas that use the most energy such as information technology, the infrastructure of buildings and mobility.

However, the report did not go into one of the biggest polluting actions of the EP, that known as the travelling circus of MEPs and staff between Brussels and Strasbourg in France once a month.

Many have been criticising this treaty obligation not only as it is considered as a waste of money and time but also because it produces a high amount of carbon emissions due to the travelling and transport logistics necessary for hopping between the two cities. The monthly move between Brussels and Strasbourg is estimated to cost the EU taxpayers €200 million a year.