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The coalition is committed to its target of a 30 per cent cut in emissions ahead of a potential rebellion by Tory MEPs on the issue, the Commons has heard.
Commons leader Sir George Young said the coalition agreement pledge would be unaffected by what happens in Brussels today as the European Parliament votes on the issue.
According to some reports, British Conservative MEPs said they would vote to oppose the 30 per cent cut.
The vote is on whether to toughen the EU emissions-cutting target from 20 per cent reductions by 2020, compared with 1990 levels, to a 30 per cent cut.
During questions on forthcoming parliamentary business, shadow Commons leader Hilary Benn said the issue was a "real test of the prime minister'd authority".
Benn pressed Sir George on how the prime minister had got on in his "desperate attempt to stop Tory MEPs" voting against the 30 per cent cut "which is, after all, coalition policy".
He said: "This is a real test of the prime minister's authority and if he fails then his claim to be leading the greenest government ever will, frankly, be in tatters."
In response, the Commons leader said: "The coalition government’s policy is wholly unaffected by what happens in the European Parliament.
"Our commitment, the coalition government's commitment, to reducing CO2 emissions and climate change remains unaffected."
Yesterday at prime minister's questions, Luciana Berger (Lab, Liverpool Wavertree) called on the prime minister "guarantee" that all his MEPs will honour the coalition agreement and vote for the 30 per cent target.
Cameron said he supported the target and he would work with his MEPs if she promised to work on hers, who had in recent months "voted for a higher EU budget and new EU taxes, and against an opt-out on the working-time directive".
He added: "They even voted against scrapping first-class air travel for MEPs. Perhaps she would like to fly over and give them a talking to."
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