Make your voice heard on EU climate policy

The European Commission has launched two consultations concerning the future of the Effort Sharing Decision (ESD).

The Effort Sharing Decision sets greenhouse gas emission reduction targets for each member state for the sectors not covered by the EU Emissions Trading System. Its scope currently covers some 55 per cent of total greenhouse gas emissions in the EU and includes greenhouse gas emissions from sources such as CO₂ emissions from road transport, heating of buildings, small-scale industry and so-called non-CO₂ emissions from agriculture and waste.

At the European Council meeting in October 2014, EU leaders expressed their wish to continue the ESD approach for the period 20212030, with the aim of reducing emissions in the non-emission trading sectors by 2030 by 30 per cent compared to 2005.  The Commission is now preparing a legislative proposal.

The first consultation is focusing on some general principles for the ESD:

• the flexibility mechanisms foreseen in the ESD to ensure overall cost efficiency,
• monitoring, reporting and compliance,
• the approach to setting the national greenhouse gas reduction targets in the ESD and
• complementary EU-wide action to achieve the reduction targets.

The second consultation deals with the issue of whether emissions from agriculture, land use, land-use change and forestry should be included in the ESD.

Both of the consultations are open for submissions by 18 June 2015.