BRUSSELS, Sept 12 Reuters European Union lawmakers gave their final approval on Tuesday to legally binding targets to expand renewable energy faster this decade, a central part of Europe39;s plans to curb climate change and shift away from fossil fuels.

The law significantly raises the EU39;s renewable energy targets, requiring 42.5 of EU energy to be renewable by 2030, replacing a current 32 target for that date.

It faced a tough passage through negotiations among EU countries39; governments, and only won support after France won carveouts for nuclear energy which is lowcarbon, but not renewable.

The European Parliament voted on Tuesday to pass the law with a large majority 470 lawmakers voted in favour, 120 against and 40 abstained.

EU member countries must also green light the final bill before it enters into force a process that usually waves through preagreed deals with no changes.

It39;s a very important signal that the Green Deal is moving forward, French EU lawmaker Pascal Canfin said, referring to the EU39;s overarching climate change plan to cut its net greenhouse gas emissions to zero by 2050.

EU countries and lawmakers had agreed a deal on the renewable energy law back in March which was supposed to be final, but was held up by countries seeking greater recognition of nuclear power.

EU countries okayed the deal in June, after Brussels offered written assurances that it would consider exempting certain ammonia plants from renewable fuel targets…