The European Commission has published a list of policy areas that it plans to look at in the coming years. Among these is an Effort Sharing Decision 2030.

The EU plans for implementing targets for climate change are based on two approaches: the Emissions Trading System (ETS), which includes a limit on greenhouse gas emissions for the sectors included; and a set of country-specific targets for the emissions of sectors not covered by the ETS in what is called the Effort Sharing Decision. National targets for 2020 were set in various sectors.

In October 2014 the European Council reached agreement on proposals for a 2030 Climate and Energy Policy Framework. These include a binding domestic target for reducing EU greenhouse gas emissions of more than 40% in 2030 compared with 1990.

Projections based on current trends and policies suggest that while a number of Member States may not fully meet their 2020 obligations under the Effort Sharing Decision, the EU as a whole is expected to overachieve.