EU Commission waters down carbon market state aid rules to please large polluters

The final EU carbon market state aid rules will ensure massive handouts of taxpayer money to large polluting industries such as oil refineries and plastic producers over the next decade.  The EU ETS state aid guidelines for 2021-2030 set the framework for EU countries to compensate their electricity-intensive industries deemed at risk of ‘carbon leakage’ …

Airlines continue to push against climate policies as EU Commission proposes new rules

Airlines have been hit hard by the pandemic induced economic slowdown and travel restrictions, but are also using the situation as an excuse to lobby even harder against climate regulations. As the EU works on its aviation climate package, it must ensure that – like other transport modes – the sector pays for its pollution …

Carbon Market Watch Newsletter – September 2020

Europe’s renewed climate commitment under scrutiny Dear friends, The European Commission has proposed to strengthen Europe’s 2030 climate target to at least 55%. While a very positive development, the new target nevertheless falls short of what science says is needed for the EU to do its share to keep global warming at safe levels. Critically, …

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 …

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 …

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 …

Joint Letter in support of the ENVI report on the MRV revision

Dear Member of the European Parliament, During the September plenary, you will vote on the revision of the Regulation on monitoring, reporting and verification (MRV) of shipping emissions. This could be the first-ever EU regulation that requires ships to reduce their emissions and to start paying for their carbon emissions. Climate pollution from the shipping …

Carbon Market Watch reply to the European Commission’s Inception Impact Assessment for updated rules to the EU ETS aviation coverage

Carbon Market Watch (CMW) welcomes the opportunity to provide feedback to this European Commission Inception Impact Assessment (IIA), and urges the Commission, Parliament, and Council to adopt measures which strengthen the EU’s climate action in the aviation sector, as it currently falls short of the required level of ambition to meet the Paris Agreement’s objective …