European Climate Change Programme

Policy

The European Commission established the European Climate Change Programme (ECCP) in 2000 to help identify the most environmentally and cost-effective policies and measures that can be taken at European level to cut greenhouse gas emissions.

The immediate goal was to help ensure that the EU meets its target for reducing emissions under the Kyoto Protocol.

The programme built on previous emissions-related activities at EU level, such as the first Community strategy to limit CO₂ emissions and improve energy efficiency (1991) and initiatives in the field of renewable energy and energy demand management.

It also dovetailed with the EU’s Sixth Environmental Action Programme (2002-2012) and Sustainable Development Strategy.

The programme was coordinated by a Steering Committee and developed through a multi-stakeholder consultative process involving the Commission, Member States, industry and environmental groups.

First European Climate Change Programme

The first ECCP (2000-2004) examined an extensive range of policy sectors and instruments with potential for reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

Working groups:

Flexible mechanisms: emissions trading
Flexible mechanisms: Joint Implementation and Clean Development Mechanism
Energy supply
Energy demand
Energy efficiency in end-use equipment and industrial processes
Transport
Industry (sub-groups on fluorinated gases, renewable raw materials and voluntary agreements)
Research
Agriculture
Sinks in agricultural soils
Forest-related sinks

Each working group identified options and potential for reducing emissions based on cost-effectiveness, as well as impacts on other policy areas and potential co-benefits, for instance in terms of energy security and air quality.

One of the most important and innovative initiatives that resulted from the first ECCP is the EU Emissions Trading System.

Second European Climate Change Programme

The second ECCP launched in 2005 explored further cost-effective options for reducing greenhouse gas emissions in synergy with the EU’s Lisbon strategy for increasing economic growth and job creation.

Working groups:

ECCP I review to facilitate and support the implementation of the priorities identified in the first phase (5 subgroups: transport, energy supply, energy demand, non-CO₂ gases, agriculture)
Aviation
CO₂ and cars
Carbon capture and storage
Adaptation to the effects of climate change
Reducing greenhouse gas emissions from ships

Additional measures were investigated on flexible mechanisms, agriculture, sinks in agricultural soils and forest-related sinks.

A number of specific actions identified during the first phase were also further developed – e.g. the E2MAS energy audit and management scheme, the Motor Challenge Initiative and promotion of renewables in heating applications

Documentation

First European Climate Change Programme

Working group on flexible mechanisms

WG1 mandate
Records of meetings:
Background documents:
Interim Report: ECCP Working Group 1 "Flexible Mechanisms"
Final Report
Flexible Mechanisms – Working Group conclusions

Working group on fluorinated gases

Working groups on agriculture and sinks

Agriculture
Sinks – sub-group on agricultural soils – following on from the agriculture group’s work, this group considered the mitigation potential of improved use and management of agricultural soils. Forest-Related Sinks – this group looked at the potential for carbon sequestration in EU forests.
Forest-related sinks - mandate
Forest-related sinks - final report

Second European Climate Change Programme

Second ECCP Progress Report - Can we meet our Kyoto targets?

Working group on ECCP I review - 5 topical groups

Working group on impacts and adaptation - 10 sectoral groups

ECCP II working group on Impacts and Adaptation (information relating to sectoral meetings and final reports):
- Impacts on water cycle and water resources management and prediction of extreme events: Final report
- Marine resources and coastal zones and tourism Final report
- Human health: Final report
- Agriculture and forestry: Final report
- Biodiversity: Final report
- Regional planning, built environment, public and energy infrastructure, Structural funds: Final report
- Urban planning and construction: Final report
- Development cooperation: Final report
- Role of insurance industry: Final report
- Building national strategies for adaptation (country reports): Final report
Developing the Green Paper on "Adapting to climate change in Europe - options for EU action"

Working group on reducing greenhouse gas emissions from ships

Studies