Non-strenuous Effort?-The European Union's Effort Sharing and LULUCF Regulations for the Period 2021-2030

Abstract

Emissions reductions in sectors outside of the European Union (EU) Emissions Trading System, such as transport and agriculture, land use and forestry are central elements in the European Union's commitments under the Paris Agreement. In December 2017, EU member states and the European Parliament reached a final agreement on the Effort Sharing and Land Use, Land-use Change and Forestry Regulations for the period 2021-2030. The final agreement includes a number of new flexibility instruments to enable member states to reach their binding emissions reductions targets despite the fact that many EU member states will require little additional measures to meet their 2030 targets. The negotiations provide important policy lessons on the complexity of EU decision-making processes and reporting systems which will be important in future revisions of the legislation.