New report busts industry competitiveness myths Carbon pricing can unlock the potential for innovation and boost new low-carbon businesses. Contrary to industry claims, it plays only a limited role in companies’ location and investment decisions. Sectors such as cement where transport costs are high are unlikely to lose competitiveness due to carbon pricing. The months …
Read more “Pricing pollution can drive green growth “
The UN aviation body must urgently set robust, science-based long-term climate targets if the industry wants to win back the confidence of both investors and customers. Many Europeans are losing patience with airlines’ defensive attitude towards the aviation industry’s climate impact and are taking matters into their own hands – by choosing not to fly. …
Read more “Aviation needs a credible long-term climate strategy “
BRUSSELS 20 September 2019. The EU carbon market is currently unfit to accommodate national coal phase-outs scheduled in Europe. EU policymakers should combine coal plant closures with the cancellation of pollution permits and strengthen the market stability reserve to absorb more surplus pollution permits off the market. Failing this, the market will be flooded with …
Read more “Over 2 billion surplus pollution permits could flood Europe’s carbon market by 2030 – analysis”
Executive summary 12 European countries have committed to closing down coal-fired power plants over the coming years. In order to do their part in limiting the global temperature rise to 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels, all EU countries will have to follow on this path and phase out coal by 20301. While this is an urgent …
Read more “Avoiding A Carbon Crash: how to phase out coal and strengthen the EU ETS”
A strong and clear political climate commitment leading to the right policies and measures will help Europe’s industry thrive in a zero-carbon world. Last week, a veto by the Polish, Czech, Estonian and Hungarian governments led to the failure of the long-awaited endorsement of the EU’s long-term climate strategy and commitment to climate neutrality by …
Read more “European businesses need clear direction, not populism”
Executive summary With total greenhouse gas emissions of 708 million tonnes per year, the resource and energy-intensive industry is the third-largest climate polluter in Europe. The cement, chemical, and steel sectors alone are responsible for almost 60% of these emissions. Industrial emissions are regulated under the EU Emission Trading System (ETS), but the numerous exemptions …
Read more “Cracking Europe’s hardest climate nut – How to kick-start the zero-carbon transition of energy-intensive industries?”
Dear Vice-President Šefčovič, Commissioner Bulc, Commissioner Arias Cañete EU aviation emissions increased 96% from 1990 to 2016, and are now 3.6% of EU emissions. These emissions are included in the EU 2030 target, and ambitious action is required to ensure the target is achieved. ICAO’s Carbon Offsetting and Reduction Scheme (CORSIA) for International Aviation is …
Read more “Letter: CORSIA & European climate ambition on aviation”
Editorial At the recent UN climate talks in Bonn, negotiations on future market provisions largely focused on the process, but key issues will need to be sorted out at the next session in Bangkok before the “Paris rulebook” can be adopted. It is particularly important to have strong rules in place to protect the rights of those affected by climate …
Read more “Carbon Market Watch Newsletter – May 2018”
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 …
Read more “Big polluters continue to get a free pass on Europe’s carbon market”