In an
effort to drive Europe’s transition to a modern and clean economy, the European
Parliament and Council on December 14 reached a provisional agreement on a key
legislative proposal for implementing the EU’s 2030 climate objectives – on
accounting of emissions from land use, land use change and forestry (LULUCF).
European Commission Vice President for Energy Union
Maroš Šefčovič hailed the agreement on December 14, calling it “yet
another milestone for the European Union in its job to deliver on its Paris
Agreement commitments”.
“Today’s agreement recognising the role of
land and forests in mitigating climate change puts the European Union firmly on
track,” Šefčovič said.
“Climate action must outpace climate change
and we are once again setting a positive precedent that others beyond Europe
can follow,” the Vice President added.
The
Commission noted that the provisional agreement reached in trilogue
negotiations between the Parliament, Council and Commission must now be
formally approved by the European Parliament and Council of Ministers.
According
to the Commission, a robust climate policy framework is a key element of the
EU’s Energy Union and a successful transition to a modern and clean economy.
This is a necessary shift that will require a contribution from all sectors of
the economy. Incentives for climate-friendly land use and forestry ensure the
continued growth and sustainable productivity of our rural communities, which
provide important services and economic benefit, the Commission said, adding
that sustainably managed land use sector can supply renewable energy and
materials, ensuring that the EU remains a world leader in these markets.
EU Climate
Action and Energy Commissioner
Miguel
Arias Cañete said, “After long and complex negotiations, we have found an
agreement to include emissions and removals from land use, land use-change and
forests in our collective efforts towards the 2030 objectives and in line with
our commitment under the Paris Agreement. This is yet another example of
Europe’s determination to turn the Paris Agreement into a reality, through
concrete policies and measures”.
According
to the Commission land use and forestry include the use of soils, trees,
plants, biomass and timber, and are in a unique position to contribute to a
robust climate policy. This is because the sector emits greenhouse gases but
can also serve to remove CO₂ from the atmosphere. EU forests absorb the
equivalent of nearly 10% of total EU greenhouse gas emissions each year.
The
regulation on land use, land use change and forestry will incorporate
greenhouse gas emissions and removals related to agricultural land and forestry
into the EU’s climate framework from 2021. The new rules will enhance the role
of land and forests as sinks of carbon and will incentivise their productive
and sustainable use, enhancing the bio-based economy and climate-smart
agriculture.
When taking
up office, the Juncker Commission identified as one of its priorities the need
for a “Resilient Energy Union with a Forward-looking Climate Change Policy”. As
announced in its March 2016 Communication on “The Road from Paris: assessing
the implications of the Paris Agreement” the Commission is committed to turn
the European Union commitments into concrete policy action and legal
instruments implementing the 2030 energy and climate framework.
The EU 2030
climate and energy framework was adopted at the October 2014 European Council.
It aims to reduce the EU’s greenhouse gas emissions by 40 % by 2030 compared
with 1990 levels. This will be achieved by reducing ETS sector emissions by 43
% and those of non-ETS sectors by 30 % compared with the 2005 baseline level.
The
proposal for LULUCF was presented by the Commission on July 20, 2016 as part of
the “Driving Europe’s transition to a low-carbon economy” package. It set clear
and fair guiding principles to Member States to prepare for the future and keep
Europe competitive. This is part and parcel of the Energy Union and a
forward-looking Climate Change policy.
EU
greenhouse gas emissions and removals from land use, land-use change and
forestry in the 2030 climate and energy framework, covering the 2021-2030
period, had not been previously included in the EU effort to fight greenhouse
gas emissions.
As part of
the July 2016 the Commission also proposed binding greenhouse gas emission
reductions for Member States for the 2021-2030 period (Effort Sharing
Regulation). The EU emissions trading system (ETS) reform for 2021-2030 was
proposed in July 2015 and has already been politically agreed by the
co-legislators.
According
to the Commission, accounting rules to measure the carbon emissions and
removals from cropland, grassland, managed forest land, afforested and
deforested land and wetland , including possible updates to be fit for purpose
under the Paris Agreement;
A basic
commitment for each Member State to comply with the ‘no-debit’ rule by ensuring
that for each 5-year compliance period (2021-25, 2026-30), the amount of carbon
absorbed in the LULUCF sector is at least equivalent to that emitted, in
accordance with the accounting rules;
The
Regulation does not lay down and obligations for private parties, including
farmers and foresters;
A balanced
package of flexibilities, to cope with the large variety of national
circumstances, the Commission said, adding that most notably, flexibility has
been introduced by the Parliament and the Council on the accounting of forests
for Member States where these represent an important carbon sink. To ensure
that the integrity of the non-ETS sector target of at least 30% emission
reductions is upheld, this ‘Managed Forest Land’ flexibility mechanism will
only be activated if the EU collectively meets the ‘no-debit’ rule.
The 2030
climate and energy framework sets three key targets for the year 2030: at least
40% cuts in greenhouse gas emissions (from 1990 levels); at least 27% share for
renewable energy; and at least 27% improvement in energy efficiency.
EU funds to greener cities
As of
December 15 and until April 2018, cities are invited to apply to get EU funding
under the 3rd “Urban Innovative Actions” call for projects, the Commission
said.
Up to €100
million from the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) will help finance
creative projects in the following areas: adaptation to climate change, air
quality, housing and jobs and skills for the local economy, in line with the
objectives of the Urban Agenda for the EU.
A series of
seminars will be organised in the Member States to help applicants submit solid
proposals and increase their chances of getting funding, the Commission said.
EU Regional
Policy Commissioner Corina Crețu noted that the Urban Innovative Actions give
cities the funding they need to turn their good ideas into ground breaking
projects that can inspire other cities in Europe. “This 3rd call, focused on
urban climate actions, is another brick to the wall of our commitments and
achievements under the Paris Agreement, just a few days after the One Planet
summit in Paris,” she noted.
https://www.neweurope.eu/article/eu-tackle-climate-change/