The European Parliament adopted (497 votes in favour, 97 against and 43 abstentions) the new regulation, the result of a compromise with the EU Council, on land use, land use change and forestry (LULUCF).
This regulation (https://aeur.eu/f/5rm ) aims to enhance natural carbon sinks to make the EU the first climate-neutral continent by 2050 (see other news).
The EU’s 2030 target for net greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions removals from land use, land-use change and forestry will be set at 310 million tonnes of CO2 equivalent (+15%). This new target should reduce the EU’s GHG emissions by 57% by 2030 compared to 1990 levels (previously set at 55%).
EU Member States will have nationally binding targets for 2030 for removals and emissions from LULUCF. The current rules will apply until 2025 (Member States will have to ensure that emissions from LULUCF do not exceed the amount that has been absorbed). From 2026, they will have a four-year budget for the period 2026-2029 instead of binding annual targets.
The text still needs to be approved by the EU Council. It will then be published in the Official Journal of the EU and will enter into force 20 days later. (Original version in French by Lionel Changeur)