Brussels, 27/02/2012 (Agence Europe) - The European Commission is due very shortly to propose accounting of emissions related to land use, land use change and forests (LULUCF) as part of the EU's climate change commitments by 2020. EU farmers have expressed their grave concern.
The new proposals from the Commission are expected to make the EU forestry and farming sectors monitor and report, with effect from 2013, any changes to land use that could affect greenhouse gas emissions as part of measures to curb climate change. Copa-Cogeca says it has major concerns about the proposal.
The draft proposes that member states draw up accounts on afforestation, reforestation, deforestation, forest management, crop land management and grazing land management connected to carbon, methane and nitrous oxide emissions. Member states will also be required to submit action plans to limit or reduce emissions, and the Commission may issue recommendations “with a view to enhancing member states' efforts”. Member states must also take due account of the Commission's findings.
Copa-Cogeca believes that accounting for forest and agricultural soils should remain voluntary given the significant uncertainties linked to monitoring and the fact that the impact on forestry and agricultural production has not yet been clearly established. The organisation recommends further analysis of the consequences of including LULUCF in the EU commitments and highlights the need for both accounting methods and MRV rules to be clarified before deciding whether to include LULUCF in the EU commitments. (LC/transl.rt)