Fact-check | Does the Green Deal introduce carbon limits for citizens?

In recent months, a claim has been circulating on social media that, as part of the Green Deal, the European Union will impose a limit on the carbon emissions of every citizen. And although Facebook has labeled it as false content, the post has been shared thousands of times. The hypothesis is that if a person “exceeds” their personal carbon footprint, they will not be able to buy food, clothing, water, fuel, or electricity until the beginning of the next reporting period.

Such an interpretation sounds alarming, but it does not correspond to the facts. A review of the European Commission's official documents and platforms shows that no such measure exists in EU legislation, strategic plans, or the Green Deal and Fit for 55 projects. There are no personal carbon limits

There are no personal carbon limits

The key instrument for limiting emissions in the EU – the Emissions Trading System (EU ETS) – is aimed at companies, power plants, and energy-intensive sectors, not individual consumers. The expansion of this system, as envisaged in the Fit for 55 package, will cover transport and heating fuels from 2027, but again through regulation of market participants rather than individual quotas for citizens.

The aim of the EU ETS is to limit overall emissions through a system of permits, but it applies to the companies that generate them, not to individual citizens.”

Neither Regulation (EU) 2021/1119 on the European Climate Law nor any part of the Green Deal contains a requirement for “personalized carbon limits.”

What does the Green Deal actually provide for?

The goal of the Green Deal is to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050 through:

• expanding emissions trading (ETS);
• renovating buildings for energy efficiency;
• developing clean transport and industries;
• supporting renewable energy.

None of these policies introduce “personalized limits” or controls on individual purchases.

Is there even such a thing as a “carbon footprint” at the citizen level?

Yes, but it is a voluntary measure used in various civic initiatives for educational purposes.

For example, under the European Climate Pact (an official platform of the European Commission), people can calculate their personal carbon footprint using a calculator and make commitments to change their habits—for example, traveling less by car, saving energy, reducing meat in their diet.

The Climate Pact is a voluntary initiative that inspires people to take action, rather than imposing penalties.”

The Count Us In platform is similar. It is supported by the EU and encourages personal action to reduce emissions, but without proposing limits, penalties, or restrictions on access to goods.

How do such claims arise?

Claims about “carbon passports” and “personal quotas” often stem from speculative interpretations of scientific proposals presented as future policy.

Scientific literature sometimes considers concepts such as “personal carbon allowances” as a theoretical tool, but this does not mean that the EU accepts or is developing them.

Even the European Environment Agency (EEA) emphasizes that the main efforts to reduce emissions must remain at the level of industries and systems, rather than being transferred as a responsibility to individual citizens.

There is no European policy, law, regulation, or plan that introduces limits on carbon emissions for individuals. Neither the Green Deal, Fit for 55, nor the EU ETS provide for a ban on purchases or blocking access to basic goods based on personal carbon footprints.

All instruments aimed at citizens are voluntary, educational, and geared toward informed choice, not the restriction of rights.

Translated with DeepL.