by Reinout Debergh Only flights within the European Economic Area (EEA) and those to the UK and Switzerland are covered Scope expanded to also include all departing flights from the EEA to outside the EEA with reimbursement of Corsia costs for those routes. Potential full scope in 2027 pending assessment of Corsia. Outmost regions exempted...
By Maria Constantinescu For the average emissions of the new passenger car fleet the new EU fleet-wide target is equal to a 15% reduction of the 2021 target. Replaced with an increased target of 20% by 2025. Life-cycle assessment methodology: By 2023 the Commission could evaluate the possibility of a common Union methodology for reporting...
By Clarice Agostini In May and June 2022, the plenary of the European Parliament will vote on the key elements of the Fit for 55 package of energy and climate legislation. Before that, the individual lead committees will vote on the proposals. Here are the proposals that are most relevant to the objectives of the...
A useful table to understand the acronyms for EU committees.
Expanding the EU-ETS to cover the sectors of building, maritime and road transport is essential to meet the EU’s enhanced climate ambitions. Phasing the sectors in progressively allows for adjustments. The regressive effects of carbon pricing, especially in road transport and buildings, require countermeasures to ensure social acceptability.
The UK’s net zero strategy builds upon the Climate Change Act of 2008 and the 2020 Ten Point Action Plan The UK sets an indicative delivery pathway, aligned with carbon budget 6 (2033-2037), to achieve Net Zero by 2050 The strategy outlines how the UK intends to reach net-zero emissions across eight sectors of the economy.
Emissions trading schemes (ETS) incentivize polluters to reduce CO2 emissions through carbon pricing. ETS in China, South- Korea, Switzerland, the UK and California tend to target energy-intensive industries and can cover up to 80% of all greenhouse gas emissions. Most ETS, excluding South Korea, make polluters pay for the majority of their emissions by obliging them to buy a permit (rights) to emit more CO2 than the baseline, thereby encouraging green investment.
On April 20, 2022, the following was covered: Mending EU gas policy was discussed and fast-tracked for negotiations; Purchasing a majority of the supply for winter of 2022 and 2023 is a priority; Shifting to renewables instead of gas is another strategy, but regional and non-voluntary cooperation are crucial to increase renewables to 45% of energy needs by 2030.
Certain commodities (maize and rubberware) are increasing deforestation and need urgent regulation. Indigenous people highly rely on forest ecosystems and their rights need to be protected. Europe is doing well in hydrogen and batteries but still behind in the solar downstream sector.
