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EU Climate Change Policy

Kyoto Protocal


Under the Kyoto Protocol, Parties are allowed to jointly fulfil their individual commitments. The EU has an overall reduction target of 8% below 1990 levels and has agreed a burden sharing arrangement that recognises the different economic circumstances of each member state. Ireland's target is to limit the increase in the basket of greenhouse gases under the Kyoto Protocol to +13% over 1990 levels by 2008-2012. The European Climate Change Programme (ECCP) (external link) prepares policies and measures as well as an emissions trading scheme to ensure the EU meets its committments under the Kyoto Protocol.

Progress Reports for each member state are available on the European Environment Agency website (external link) or the European Commission website (external link)

At its 2007 Spring meeting, the European Council committed the European Union to a reduction of 30% of its greenhouse gas emissions by 2020 (compared to 1990) as its contribution to a global, comprehensive agreement for the period beyond 2012, provided that other developed countries commit themselves to comparable emission reductions and economically more advanced developing countries adequately contribute according to their responsibilities and respective capabilities. In addition, it made a firm independent commitment to achieve at least a 20% reduction, without prejudice to its position on a post-2012 international agreement.

It agreed that the contributions of Member States to the overall target will be differentiated in a manner to reflect fairness and transparency, and taking into account
national circumstances. The European Commission is to carry out, in close cooperation with Member States, a technical analysis of the socio-economic and other
parameters which will provide a basis for detailed discussions on the contributions which individual Member States will be expected to make towards the committed 20% reduction, and for whatever further EU commitment emerges from the international discussions on a post-2012 agreement.

EU Emissions Trading Scheme


The EU emissions trading scheme came into operation on 1 January 2005. The scheme operates on a "cap and trade" basis. EU Member State governments are required to set an emissions cap for each installation in the scheme. The number of allowances allocated to each installation must be set down in the National Allocation Plan (NAP) for the period in question, which must be approved by the European Commission. 

Further information on the Emissions Trading Scheme.


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Email: climatechangeinfo@environ.ie
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