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The so-called "Effort Sharing Decision" establishes annual binding greenhouse gas emission targets for Member States for the period 2013–2020. These targets concern the emissions from sectors not included in the EU Emissions Trading System (ETS)– such as transport, buildings, agriculture and waste. It is part of a package of policies and measures on climate change and energy that will help transform Europe into a low-carbon economy and increase its energy security.
10% reduction of emissions from the non-ETS sectors
Each Member State will contribute to this effort according to its relative wealth. At the EU level, this will deliver an approximately 10% reduction of emissions from the covered sectors in 2020 compared with 2005 levels.
Together with the reduction of the ETS, it will accomplish the overall emission reduction goal of the EU Climate and Energy package (20% cut below 1990 levels by 2020).
Implementation of policies at national level
While sectors in the ETS are regulated at the Community level, it will be the responsibility of Member States to define and implement policies and measures to limit emissions of sectors under the Effort Sharing Decision.
These may include shifts away from transport based on fossil fuels, promotion of public transport, ambitious energy performance standards for buildings, more efficient heating systems, renewable energy for heating, more efficient farming practices, and conversion of animal waste to biogas.
EU-wide measures to help Member States reduce emissions
A number of important EU-wide measures will help Member States to reduce emissions. Measures on energy performance of buildings and eco-design requirements for energy–using products, for example, together with energy labelling systems to inform consumers, is expected to promote emissions reductions in buildings.
Emission performance standards for new passenger cars and light commercial vehicles will cut transport sector greenhouse gas emissions.
Implementation of other EU environmental policies, e.g. on soil protection, the fluorinated greenhouse gases and waste will also contribute to reaching the Effort Sharing Decision goals.