Achieving agricultural greenhouse gas emission reductions in the EU post-2030: What options do we have?

Abstract

By 2030, the European Union (EU) must have regulatory instruments in place that not only reduce greenhouse gas emissions from agriculture, but that also increase carbon sequestration, increase resilience of agricultural production, improve biodiversity in rural areas and contribute to providing nutritious and healthy food to a growing world population. This article seeks to explore the EU's regulatory options to pursue these goals. Relying on the theoretical framework on smart environmental regulation by Gunningham, Grabosky and Sinclair, this article assesses recent proposals by the European Commission under its European Green Deal and Farm to Fork policies, as well as other regulatory instruments that need to be considered as part of the instrument mix. It concludes that regulatory intervention needs to be stepped up, particularly through using several opportunities that the EU emissions trading system offers to complement the regulatory toolbox.