The Directorate-General for Climate Action (DG CLIMA) leads the European Commission's efforts to fight climate change at EU and international level.

DG CLIMA has a staff of around 160. It was set up in 2010, climate change having previously been handled by the Commission's DG Environment.

Mission

-formulate and implement climate policies and strategies
-take a leading role in international negotiations on climate
-implement the EU's Emissions Trading System (EU ETS)
-monitor national emissions by EU member countries
-promote low-carbon technologies & adaptation measures

Policies

formulate and implement cost-effective policies for the EU to meet its climate targets for 2020, 2030 and beyond, especially on:

-greenhouse gas emissions
-the ozone layer

Also ensure climate change is taken into account in all other EU policies and thatadaptation measures will reduce the EU's vulnerability to the impacts of climate change.

International negotiations

Lead the Commission task forces in international negotiations on climate change and ozone-depleting substances, and coordinate bi-lateral and multi-lateral partnerships on climate change with non-EU countries.

Emissions trading system

Implement EU's Emissions Trading System (EU ETS) and promote its links with other carbon trading systems, with the ultimate aim of building a global carbon trading market.

National emissions

Monitor how EU member countries are implementing their national targets in sectors outside the EU ETS ("Effort Sharing Decision").

Technology & adaptation

Promote the development of low-carbon technologies and adaptation measures, including:

-carbon capture & storage
-cutting emissions of fluorinated gases
-cutting use of ozone-depleting substances
-standards for vehicle-efficiency and fuel quality

Do this by creating regulatory frameworks to guide the deployment of these technologies and by providing financial support.