EU Parliament Votes to Reduce Member Countries' Emissions by 40% by 2030

The European Parliament voted today to revise the so-called Effort Sharing Regulation, which aims to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from transportation, buildings, and agriculture by 30% to 40% by 2030 compared to 2025 levels.

This law currently governs about 60% of all EU emissions, and for the first time, all EU countries must now decrease GHG emissions with targets ranging from 10% to 50%.

“With this law, we take a major step forward in delivering on the EU’s climate goals. The new rules for national emission cuts ensure that all member states contribute and that existing loopholes are closed. This allows us to send a clear signal that the EU is serious about being the global champion for a competitive and efficient climate agenda,” the rapporteur Jessica Polfjärd pointed out in this regard.

The EU parliament also stated in a statement released today that the 2030 targets for each member state are based on cost-effectiveness and GDP per capita. Every year, Member States must guarantee that they do not exceed their yearly GHG emission allocation.

According to the parliament, the enacted bill strikes the correct balance between the need for EU countries to be flexible in order to achieve their goals by guaranteeing a fair and social transition and the necessity to rectify weaknesses so that the EU's overall reduction target is met.

As a result, the authority noted that there are limits on how much emissions member countries can save from previous years, borrow from future years, and exchange allocations with other EU countries.

Furthermore, the Effort Sharing Regulation is part of the so-called "Fit for 55 in 2030" package, which is the EU's plan to reduce GHG emissions by at least 55% by 2030 compared to 1990 levels in accordance with the European Climate Law.

The European Commission welcomed the above-mentioned agreement on reducing net greenhouse gas emissions by at least 55% by 2030 in December of last year. It stated that updated emissions trading rules would hasten the implementation of the polluter pays principle by gradually reducing free allowances for the aviation industry by 2026.

Concerned with the fact that it would be the first time in the country. The EU Commission is also expected to evaluate the Carbon Offsetting and Reduction Scheme for International Aviation in 2026.

By fLEXI tEAM