Greenhouse gas emissions: Council and European Parliament reach a provisional agreement on the accounting rules for the land use, land use change and forestry sector

Brussels, 28-12-2012 — /europawire.eu/ — The Permanent Representatives Committee endorsed today the compromise proposal agreed between the Presidency of the Council and the European Parliament regarding the decision on accounting rules and information on actions concerning greenhouse gas emissions and removals resulting from activities related to land use, land use change and forestry (LULUCF).

The text as it stands now was negotiated in informal “trilogue” meetings between the Council – represented by the Cyprus presidency – the European Parliament and the European Commission. After the European Parliament adopts its position on first reading – which is expected for next year – the Council will approve the European Parliament’s position and the act will be finally adopted.

The aim of the proposal is to establish a harmonised legal framework for comprehensive and robust accounting rules for this sector which are consistent with relevant decisions adopted within the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) framework, as a first step towards its inclusion in the EU’s climate change commitments.

According to the decision, member states should also provide information on their national actions to limit or reduce emissions and to maintain or increase removals from the LULUCF sector. This is aimed at stimulating the mitigation potential of the sector, increasing the visibility of measures taken and promoting best practice.

Appropriate land uses and management practices in forestry and agriculture can limit emissions of carbon and enhance removals from the atmosphere.

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