In July 2016, the European Commission submitted a legislative proposal to include greenhouse gas emissions and removals into the atmosphere resulting from land use, land use change and forestry as part of the EU’s 2030 climate and energy framework.
The EU reduction commitment related to the Effort Sharing Decision and the EU ETS is supported by a wide range of long-term policies and strategies.
For example, land use-related changes, such as deforestation or afforestation, can affect carbon dioxide concentrations in the atmosphere.
Similarly, the increased demand for transport has made it quite difficult to cut emissions from this sector. To address the problem, the EU has proposed several packages of transport measures, including the European Strategy for Low Emission Mobility and initiatives such as Europe on the Move.
Other challenges, such as promoting energy efficiency in buildings or renewable energy, have also recently been revived by a comprehensive package proposed in November 2016.
The EU’s long-term climate goals are embedded in broader policy frameworks that support their achievement, such as the Energy Union Strategy, which aims to ensure policy coherence over the long term.
Without a clear strategic vision and strong policy commitment over time, investors, producers, and consumers will be reluctant to adopt solutions that they may perceive as risky investments.
European Commission Proposal