Limits on the use of the CO₂ removal potential of farmland and forest land

15.9.2016

Question for written answer E-006898-16
to the Commission
Rule 130
Jadwiga Wiśniewska (ECR) , Zbigniew Kuźmiuk (ECR) , Stanisław Ożóg (ECR)

Under Article 7 of and Annex III to the draft non-ETS regulation, the removal of only 280 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalent by farmland and forested areas in the EU can be counted towards Member States’ emissions targets.

The maximum amount has been rigidly divided up among the Member States. A restrictive limit of this kind means that some countries will not be able to use the full potential of their green spaces. Others will not be able to use the full limit. As a result, the maximum level of removals provided for in the regulation will not be achieved.

1. Why has a maximum amount of 280 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalent in removals been imposed when the European Council has pointed to the need to take full account of the role forests have to play in preventing climate change? 2. Why has the maximum amount been divided up so rigidly among the Member States? 3. Is the regulation not at odds with the provisions of the Paris Agreement, which considers that forests have a key role to play in preventing climate change?