The Effort Sharing Regulation (ESR) sets binding national climate targets for the emissions of road transport, buildings, agriculture, waste and small industries. The Commission has proposed to maintain the ESR as part of its Fit for 55 plan and to increase the EU-wide emission reduction target for the ESR sectors from 30% to 40%.
By Sofie Defour
Each member state now needs to contribute to the EU’s increased 2030 climate target with new national climate measures, such as ending subsidies for polluting company cars. But the targets are more stringent on paper than in reality. All the old loopholes that allow countries to escape their climate responsibilities remain and there are still no fines for missing targets. Compliance under the ESR needs to be improved and member states should be rewarded for overachievement.