Waste gases from steel worse for the climate than coal

The IPCC, the leading body of climate scientists, released a report this week showing that without unprecedented and rapid action, it will not be possible to avoid dangerous climate change. A major share of the efforts to keep global warming to 1.5°C will need to come from industry, which is the end-use sector responsible for …

GCAS: Effective carbon pricing can no longer be hampered by bad policy

Pricing of coal pollution for its damaging impacts on our health and the planet “is an issue of life and death” according to former Secretary of State John Kerry at the Global Climate Action Summit in San Francisco this month. Carbon Market Watch participated in the summit to present how engagement of environmental groups, as a counterweight to the lobby interests of high-emitting industries, is critical for fairer and more effective carbon pricing.

Netherlands fits its new price floor

A draft law for the Dutch carbon floor price was recently published, raising the carbon price levied on electricity production to 43 euros by 2030. Carbon Market Watch is a proponent of carbon floor prices that better reflect the social costs of pollution, however several corporate stakeholders do not share our view. How can countries …

What does plastic pollution have to do with Europe’s industrial zero-carbon strategy?

Carbon Market Watch is working to advance the carbon-free transformation of Europe’s industry. But what does this actually mean and how does it affect our daily lives? On the occasion of World Environment Day under the theme ‘Beating Plastic Pollution’, we provide a deep-dive into the role of plastics. Plastics have become part of our …

Big polluters continue to get a free pass on Europe’s carbon market

Last week, the European Commission published a list of 44 industries, representing 90% of total industry emissions, that will continue to receive their pollution permits for free under Europe’s carbon market rules after 2020. Over-generous hand-out of free pollution permits doesn’t incentivise emission cuts, and policymakers will need to find other ways to put industry …

Polluters should pay into the EU budget – but how?

As usual, much attention on the recent EU budget proposal for 2021-2027 has focused on how the money will be spent. But where the funds come from and who will pay for Europe’s carbon-free transition is just as important. The European Commission rightly proposes that polluters also contribute to the future EU budget, but how …

Head of IMF urges countries to adopt higher carbon prices

Polluting cannot be as cheap as it is today – was the message from ministers, business executives and civil society leaders who came together at the third high-level annual assembly of the Carbon Pricing Leadership Coalition (CPLC) last week. Carbon Market Watch will join the CPLC’s steering committee to advance NGO engagement and help ensure …

EU lawmakers give green light for key climate law – what’s next?

After almost two years of intense negotiations, this week the European Parliament will give its final approval for the Climate Action Regulation, which aims to reduce emissions from transport, agriculture, buildings and waste management. Implementation will determine how effective this key climate law will be in helping Europe achieve its Paris climate goals. Covering over …

Ending the era of cheap pollution in Europe?

Last week, at a conference organised by the French government, six EU countries discussed the possibility of introducing a minimum price to pollute. Although prices under the EU’s carbon market have lately risen above 10 Euros for the first time since 2011, they are still barely a third of what is needed to reach the …

European heavy industry can no longer dodge climate action

European manufacturing sector needs an urgent transformation in order to dramatically reduce its emissions and do its part to fight climate change. How can we guarantee a prosperous, climate-friendly European industrial base that provides jobs and brings societal benefits? This week is EU Industry Week, with the future of European manufacturing sector topping the agenda …