Reduction of greenhouse gas emissions not covered by the emission allowance trading scheme

The Commission proposes limiting the emissions of greenhouse gases from sources not covered by the Community scheme for greenhouse gas emission allowance trading. This proposal takes account of the reduction possibilities of each Member State, the possibility to use credits for emissions elsewhere and the possible conclusion of a future international agreement on the reduction of greenhouse gases.

Proposal for a Decision of the European Parliament and of the Council of 23 January 2008 on the effort of Member States to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions to meet the Community’s greenhouse gas emission reduction commitments up to 2020

For each Member State, the proposal sets limits for the emission of greenhouse gases from sources not covered by the emission allowance trading scheme for 2020. These emission limits are established in relation to the 2005 levels and take account of the per capita GDP and the growth expectations of the Member States to ensure that the contribution of each State is as fair as possible.

In 2013, greenhouse gas emissions may not exceed the average of the emissions produced during the years 2008, 2009 and 2010.

Between 2013 and 2019, a Member State may draw on up to 2% of the emission limit set for the following year to enable it to achieve its target. If the reductions are greater than the limit set, it may also carry over its excess emission reductions to the following year.

To meet their obligations, Member States may use emission credits resulting from certain greenhouse gas emission reduction projects accepted by all Member States and implemented in particular in the least developed countries (3% annually for each country).

Member States must record their greenhouse gas emissions from sources not covered by Directive 2003/87/EC in annual reports, which they draw up in accordance with the Decision on monitoring greenhouse gas emissions, in this way allowing evaluation of the progress towards achieving the objectives laid down in this proposal.

In the event of the conclusion of an international agreement on climate change imposing reductions exceeding those in this proposal, the Commission proposes adjustments to the emission limits of each Member State and the use of credits from emissions resulting from project activities in third countries which have ratified that agreement.

If the scope of the Community scheme for greenhouse gas emission allowance trading, provided for by Directive 2003/87/EC, is extended, the emission limits provided for in this proposal will be adjusted accordingly.

The Commission must report on the application of the proposed Decision by 31 October 2016.

This proposal is part of the "energy and climate change" package launched by the Commission at the beginning of 2008.

References and procedure

Proposal	Official Journal	Procedure
COM(2008) 17	-	COD/2008/0014

Communication from the Commission of 23 January 2008 entitled: "20 20 by 2020 - Europe's climate change opportunity" [COM(2008) 30 final – Not published in the Official Journal].

In January 2008, the Commission adopted a series of coherent, comprehensive measures to achieve the objectives set by the EU in spring 2007 for 2020 in respect of climate change and renewable energies.