News & Press
“Offsetting must not be a license to continue polluting”
We joined the World Press Clubs Alliance for Climate launch event on Friday 23 October. Watch the interview with Sabine Frank here. Companies and governments are announcing “climate-neutrality” targets, and consumers are being offered ways to offset their carbon footprint. What does this mean in practice? How can we distinguish between real climate action and…
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By Gilles Dufrasne on 22 Oct 2020
Up in smoke – California fires once again highlight dangers of forest offsets
Companies are increasingly adopting “climate-neutrality” targets, which often include relying on forests to compensate for pollution. After yet another such offset project was swallowed by flames in California, unresolved questions about forest and land offsets resurface. It’s a simple tagline for green marketing campaigns: “Enjoy our product, it’s climate neutral”. While the tagline is simple,…
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By Kaisa Amaral on 9 Oct 2020
Carbon Market Watch agenda – Autumn 2020
Carbon Market Watch agenda outlines our priorities and key political milestones for the next months. Click here
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By Kaisa Amaral on 24 Sep 2020
Why bringing transport and buildings under the EU carbon market is not a good idea
Extending the EU carbon market to cover buildings and transport would not reduce emissions but could undermine existing legislation and risk instability on the market. Last week, the European Commission published its proposal for a higher EU 2030 climate target of at least 55% along with a plan for getting there in practice. As a…
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By Kaisa Amaral on 17 Sep 2020
EU Commission’s climate plan two steps forward, one step back
BRUSSELS 17 September 2020. The European Commission’s 2030 Climate Target Plan reiterates positive elements from the European Green Deal such as strengthening the EU carbon market and reducing free pollution permits to airlines. But the plan to rely on carbon sinks to reach the target waters down the overall ambitious plan and needs to be…
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By Kaisa Amaral on 15 Sep 2020
EU lawmakers support the expansion of Europe’s carbon market to shipping as global talks are adrift
BRUSSELS, 15 September 2020. The European Parliament has voted to extend the EU carbon market to cover international shipping, to establish a maritime decarbonisation fund and to set a mandatory reduction target for the carbon intensity of shipping. Carbon Market Watch welcomes the decision as a strong signal towards the UN shipping body that is…
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By Kaisa Amaral on 7 Jul 2020
Shipping pollution should be covered by Europe’s carbon market – EU lawmakers
BRUSSELS, 7 July 2020. European Parliament environment committee members have voted to extend the EU carbon market to cover international shipping, to establish a maritime decarbonisation fund and to set a mandatory reduction target for the carbon intensity of shipping. Carbon Market Watch welcomes the decision as the first step towards putting a price on…
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By Elisa Martellucci on 7 Jul 2020
What role for national energy and climate plans in the COVID-19 recovery?
The national energy and climate plans can help chart Europe’s way out of the COVID-19 pandemic and into carbon-free societies. This is not the time to weaken them but to make them stronger, while better involving all relevant stakeholders in their development and implementation. The national energy and climate plans (NECPs) are a key pillar…
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By Gilles Dufrasne on 1 Jul 2020
Airlines’ golden (corona) life jacket makes a mockery of the green recovery
It’s been a rough few months for the aviation sector around the world, as most aircraft have not left the tarmac and major airlines are losing millions every day. But the industry has used the situation very effectively to push governments to weaken climate policies. The same governments are handing out multi-billion euro bailout packages,…
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By Wijnand Stoefs on 25 Jun 2020
Towards more sustainable and transparent investments?
New European reporting guidelines would make it mandatory for large companies to disclose the climate impact of their activities as well as how they plan to mitigate it. This would bring more clarity for consumers, taxpayers and investors alike on how their money is spent and therefore lead to more sustainable investments. The European Commission…
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