Transfer of EU CO2 emissions outside EU borders
23.11.2020
Question for written answer E-006384/2020
to the Commission
Rule 138
Danilo Oscar Lancini (ID), Silvia Sardone (ID), Lucia Vuolo (ID)
The Green Deal is seeking to decarbonise the EU economy and make the Union a global leader on the road to climate neutrality.
Europe has indeed reduced its CO2 emissions by 25% from 1990 to 2019[1]. However, in terms of emissions attributable to European consumption levels, the reduction is only 16% from 1990 to 2017[2]. This difference can be explained by the increase in CO 2 levels attributable to products imported into the EU, rising from 12% of domestic emissions in 1990 to 21% in 2017[3].
This indicates that Europe has reduced domestic emissions partly due to the transfer abroad of the production capacity needed to meet European demand (‘carbon leakage’).
The increase in the 2030 target could accentuate this phenomenon, resulting in overestimation of climate benefits and damage to EU industry.
In view of the strong political commitment necessary, requiring costly action by states, citizens and businesses, can the Commission answer the following questions:
- 1.How does it view the rising trend in the percentage of CO2 imported into Europe?
- 2.How does it assess the results of European environmental policies on a global level?