The Commission yesterday adopted an implementing decision setting out the annual emission allocations (AEAs) for 2021-2030 under the Effort Sharing Regulation. Adopting this decision is an important step in ensuring Member States take the right path to achieving an EU-wide emission reduction of 30% by 2030 compared to 2005 in sectors not covered under the EU Emissions Trading System (ETS), as set out in current legislation.
The Effort Sharing Regulation (ESR) sets binding annual greenhouse gas emissions targets for Member States for 2030 – expressed in percentage change compared to 2005 levels – for emissions in sectors outside the EU ETS. The Regulation stipulates how to calculate AEAs for 2021-2030 and defines flexibilities that Member States can use to meet these targets. The ESR does not cover land use, land-use change and forestry (LULUCF) sectors.
The Commission Implementing Decision adopted yesterday translates these targets into greenhouse gas emission limits in tonnes of CO2 equivalent for each year and Member State along a linear trajectory between 2021 and 2030.
As required by the ESR, the decision includes the 2005 greenhouse gas emissions values for each Member State used to determine the AEAs. It also defines the total maximum margin of flexibility allowed for certain Member States’ compliance with the Effort Sharing Regulation between 2021 and 2030, following the reduction of EU ETS allowances.
In preparing the decision and calculating the AEAs, the Commission worked in close consultation with Member States. The preparatory work included a comprehensive review of their greenhouse gas emission inventories, coordinated by the European Environment Agency.
The Decision will enter into force in early January 2021, twenty days after its publication.
Details
- Publication date
- 17 December 2020
- Author
- Directorate-General for Climate Action