Trilogue triangulation: Mapping the positions of the EU institutions on carbon market reform

As the EU institutions enter into a three-way trilogue on the reform of the Emissions Trading System, we present you with this handy comparative analysis of the options on the table and Carbon Market Watch’s recommendations. Almost a year after the publication of the European Commission’s proposal for the revision of the EU’s Emissions Trading …

July newsletter editorial: Keeping hope alive for 1.5

The EU’s recent failure to rise to the unprecedented challenge presented by the climate emergency should not lead us down the path to cynicism but must prod us to redouble our efforts to bring about meaningful change, writes Sabine Frank. “So, how do you know Y (the host)?” I asked at a recent party.  “We …

A compromise too far: Why no deal at the European Parliament was better than a bad deal on EU’s carbon market – Updated

Since the European Parliament’s failure to reach an agreement on the comprehensive reform of the EU Emissions Trading System, MEPs have traded recriminations. However, those claiming that the defeated compromise deal was good for the climate are being disingenuous. Our analysis reveals it would have been catastrophic had it gone through. On 8 June 2022, …

EU Parliament sends carbon market review back to the drawing board

In an unexpected turn of events in the European Parliament, a watered-down carbon market package was rejected by a majority of MEPs. The review of the EU Emissions Trading System (EU ETS) Directive was referred back to the Environment Committee and will now overlap with  Member States finalising their position later this month. In Strasbourg …

More ambitious European carbon market could slash aviation emissions by an extra 53%

Europe’s carbon market – the EU Emissions Trading System (EU ETS) – could deliver up to 53% more emission reductions for aviation in Europe if applied to all departing flights compared to the current plan, and 113% more reduction if extended to both incoming and outgoing flights, a new study finds.  Pricing emissions in Europe …

European Parliament’s compromise vote on EU carbon market compromises our ability to prevent climate breakdown

Despite some progress and a number of hardwon victories for the climate, MEPs on the European Parliament’s environment committee failed to raise the ambition of the EU’s Emissions Trading System (EU ETS) to a level that would avoid catastrophic temperature rises. After almost a year in the legislative pipeline since it was proposed as part …

The Revision of the European Union Emissions Trading System Directive: Assessing Cap and Market Stability Reserve Reform Options

The Revision of the European Union Emissions Trading System Directive: Assessing Cap and Market Stability Reserve Reform Options

    The European Union Emissions Trading System (EU ETS) is a central element of EU climate policy. The successful reform of the EU ETS is thus crucial for the implementation of the objectives of the European Green Deal. Reforms are required in the following four aspects of the EU ETS. The first aspect is …

Carbon removals are no substitute for deep emissions reductions, warns IPCC

Carbon removals will become a vital tool for reducing carbon concentrations in the atmosphere but only massive cuts in emissions will give humanity a fighting chance of keeping global heating to 1.5°C or below, says the UN’s Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). The latest IPCC report, which was released in April, outlines various pathways …

Open Letter: Time to vote for an EU Emissions Trading System (ETS) that works for climate and industrial transformation

In this joint letter, Carbon Market Watch, WWF, CAN Europe, the EEB and other environmental organisations call on the European Parliament’s Industry, Research and Energy Committee (ITRE) to vote for ambitious reforms to the European Union’s Emissions Trading System (EU ETS) that will ensure that the EU’s carbon market will benefit the climate and lead to sustainable industrial decarbonisation in Europe.