What is effort sharing?

The Effort Sharing Regulation sets binding targets to cut greenhouse gas emissions for each EU country. In sectors such as transport, agriculture, buildings and waste management emissions will be cut to 30% by 2030 compared to 2005. These sectors account for the majority of the EU’s greenhouse gases (about 60% of total EU emissions in 2014).

The targets above are also part of the EU's commitment in the Paris Agreement.

To guarantee that all countries participate in the EU's efforts to reduce emissions coming from the sectors mentioned above, the Effort Sharing Decision establishes binding annual greenhouse gas emission targets for EU countries for the period 2013–2020.

In April 2018 MEPs adopted a new regulation that is the successor of the Effort Sharing Decision. Itl lays down EU countries' minimum contributions to emission reductions for the period 2021-2030 as well as the rules for determining the annual emissions allocations and how to evaluate progress.

However, the proposal will need to be approved by the Council as well before the legislation can enter into force.