Aggregate data on greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions reported annually by EU Member States, which constitute the EU's reported emissions inventory, once verified by the European Commission and the European Environment Agency (EEA), are useful, but could be more useful for effective climate policy, according to a special report published by the Court of Auditors on Wednesday 20 November.
The auditors believe that forestry and agriculture are the weak link in the monitoring of the quality of reported data and that, in addition, the Commission should improve the impact assessment of current policies and measures to better measure the ability to achieve the objectives set by the EU, especially for 2030 (at least -40% emissions) and 2050 (from -80% to -95%).
The audit aimed to assess whether the Commission, with the assistance of the EEA, had properly verified the quality of national and EU inventories and information on expected emission reductions at European level on the basis of national projections. The verifications of data provided by six countries, which together account for more than 50% of EU emissions (Germany, Italy, France, Poland, Czech Republic, Romania), were examined.
The Court of Auditors recommends strengthening controls on the Land Use, Land Use Change and Forestry sector (LULUCF sector), improving the framework to better assess future emission reductions and the impact of current EU policies.
The auditors suggest in particular: - assess the advisability of introducing intermediate EU-wide measures and targets for international maritime transport in line with the objective of a 50% reduction in emissions by 2050; - to ensure that the strategic plans for agriculture and LULUCF contribute to achieving the 2050 objective and to ensure that Member States have adequate measures in line with their long-term strategies.
“The Commission shall endeavour to provide accurate data on emission levels. It should now further improve information on trends and estimates of policy impact. The Commission has accepted all our recommendations”, the Court of Auditors Member Nikolaos Milionis, responsible for the report, told the press.
According to the report, current policies will not be enough to reach -40% by 2030, not including the LULUCF sector, and, according to Member States' projections, the 2050 target would not be achieved. But the report does not include the latest measures of the Clean Energy legislative package adopted in 2018.
The auditors found that the inventories covered the 7 main GHGs and all key sectors, as required by UN emission reporting rules. According to them, the EU inventory has improved over time.
However, they noted that the controls carried out in the LULUCF sector were not the same as in the other sectors. The verification process involves two steps, one covering all sectors, including LULUCF, and the other on effort sharing between Member States, which does not concern LULUCF, explained an auditor.
For its 2020 target, the EU has taken into account all reported data, including international air transport. But for LULUCF, the first targets are set for 2030 (see EUROPE 12019/11) and for international aviation in 2050, without the EU having intermediate targets or emission reduction measures.
The Commission has not assessed the risk of significant deviations from its overall reference scenario. Currently, Member States' aggregate projections beyond 2023 show emission reductions below the reference scenario.
The institution presented its vision for an EU long-term strategy for climate neutrality by 2050 and developed roadmaps for sectors contributing to 70% of EU emissions, such as transport and energy. But there are no roadmaps for key sectors such as LULUCF and agriculture.
This report will be presented on 2 December in Madrid on the margins of COP25 (2-13 December). (Original version in French by Aminata Niang)