INSIGHT_E publication

The EU is a net importer of carbon emissions. Depending on the year and the estimate, up to over one third of the EU total consumption related emissions happen outside of its borders. The EU has been diminishing domestic GHG emissions directly through a comprehensive array of policies, such as the ETS scheme. Conversely however, this publication found that only scattered policies are available for the EU to reduce GHG emissions outside of its borders. Different sectors and regions are covered by different programs which are effective in tackling the disparities in emissions in different regions. Further, most programs are not comprehensive, leaving out sectors with significant emissions, such as trade. Foreign emission reductions will therefore rely both on a consolidation of existing policies and the development of new, specific, approaches to cover the remaining gaps. A new INSIGHT_E  hot energy topic reviews the current state of the EU's GHG emissions outside of its borders and highlights corresponding policy gaps where actions might be undertaken.