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News article13 October 2017Directorate-General for Climate Action

EU Member States agree negotiating position on key 2030 climate policy proposals

EU Member States today adopted a common negotiating position on two key legislative proposals for the EU's 2030 climate and energy policy framework – one on reducing emissions in sectors not covered by the EU emissions trading system (ETS) and the...

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EU Member States today adopted a common negotiating position on two key legislative proposals for the EU's 2030 climate and energy policy framework – one on reducing emissions in sectors not covered by the EU emissions trading system (ETS) and the other on emissions from land use and forestry.

The adoption of a Council position on both proposals at today's Environment Council meeting paves the way for negotiations with the European Parliament, which adopted its negotiating positions earlier this year.

The proposal for an 'Effort Sharing' regulation foresees emissions cuts in non-ETS sectors including buildings, transport, waste and agriculture from 2021-2030, through binding annual targets for all Member States. These sectors together account for more than half of all EU emissions.

The proposal on land use, land use change and forestry (LULUCF) is about incorporating emissions and removals from land use and forests into the EU's climate framework from 2021. It will enshrine the 'no-debit' rule – ensuring no net emissions from LULUCF activities – in EU law.

Welcoming the adoption of the Council positions, Climate Action and Energy Commissioner Miguel Arias Cañete said: "Today is one more important step towards ensuring the European Union's climate commitments become reality on the ground. It sends a strong signal to our citizens, businesses, farmers, foresters and communities that we are serious about getting the right policy framework to achieve the target of cutting overall EU emissions by at least 40% by 2030."

He added: "Ahead of next month's UN climate conference, it also sends an important message to the world: the EU is getting on with the job of putting its 2030 climate goals into practice, so that we will be able to deliver on our global commitments under the Paris Agreement."

The UN climate conference (COP23) will be held from 6-17 November in Bonn, under the presidency of Fiji. At today's Environment Council, Member States adopted Council Conclusions on the Paris Agreement and the preparations for COP23, reiterating the EU's commitment to fully implement the Paris Agreement and calling for substantial progress to be made at COP23 on its implementation.

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Publication date
13 October 2017
Author
Directorate-General for Climate Action