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The European Commission has today proposed legislation to significantly enhance the monitoring and reporting of GHG emissions, in particular to meet new requirements arising from the package of EU climate and energy laws for the period 2013-2020.

Commenting on the proposed legislation, Connie Hedegaard, European Commissioner for Climate Action, said: "By improving transparency, coordination and the quality of data reported, today's proposal contributes to keep better track of our progress towards meeting our emissions targets. This proposal will also help monitor and report emissions from land use, land use change and forestry (LULUCF), aviation and maritime transport amongst other sectors. We hope that these new rules will also set an example in the context of the international climate negotiations and serve as a benchmark for transparency of climate action by developed countries."

The EU and Member States already cooperate to monitor and report GHG emissions under the terms of a Decision adopted in 2004. They produce annual GHG inventories which are used to assess progress towards meeting Kyoto Protocol emission targets. They also gather and publish information on GHG projections and on their policies and measures to reduce emissions.

The current rules are largely based on the requirements arising from the Kyoto Protocol. The proposed new regulation enhances this monitoring and reporting mechanism in line with the requirements of the 2009 climate and energy package. It goes a step beyond Kyoto in providing greater transparency in the data and information provided and ensuring compliance with the EU's climate change commitments.

The main objectives of the proposed revision are to:

- Facilitate further development of the innovative EU climate policy mix by addressing emissions from land use, land use change and forestry (LULUCF), aviation and maritime transport, among other sectors, and by supporting adaptation to climate change;

- Help the EU and Member States keep track of progress towards meeting their emission targets for 2013-2020;

- Further improve the quality of data reported;

- Ensure that the EU and Member States comply with current and future international monitoring and reporting obligations and commitments. This includes reporting on financial and technical support provided to developing countries, and commitments arising from the 2009 Copenhagen Accord and 2010 Cancún Agreements;

- Put in place operational rules for Member States to report on their use of revenues from the auctioning of allowances in the EU emissions trading system (EU ETS). Member States have committed to spend at least half of the revenue from such auctions on measures to fight climate change in the EU and third countries.

The revision of the monitoring mechanism will cover the monitoring and reporting of emissions by national authorities. It requires approval by the Council and European Parliament to become law. Specific monitoring and reporting provisions for companies related to emissions from installations covered by the EU ETS are being introduced through separate implementing legislation.