Emissions trading scheme

The End of Free Carbon Emissions: Why the Time is Right
Est. 4minAs governments, private sector leaders and NGOs gather for New York Climate Week this month, one theme is likely to dominate: the urgent need for immediate climate action.

Energy and climate scenarios 2050
The EU has set a long-term goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 80-95% by 2050. But getting there will be a huge challenge that will require a transformation of our energy system.

Energy utilities push carbon pricing, lobby against renewable targets at COP21
Est. 4minThe association of power companies working under the 'Magritte Group' umbrella, called on Tuesday (8 December) for carbon pricing, rather than renewable energy targets, to be the main tool for fighting climate change.

Global carbon pricing off menu at Paris climate talks
Est. 5minClimate experts say the need to agree on a global carbon price to cut pollution and aid clean technologies is a no-brainer, and yet the topic will have no place at the upcoming Paris climate talks.

Battle lines forming as EU holds first debate on ETS reform
Est. 6minEXCLUSIVE / France, the UK, the Czech Republic and Slovakia are backing a more targeted approach for heavy industries, at risk of closing down or relocating abroad, due to increased pressure to reduce global warming emissions.

World, business leaders call for global carbon pricing policies
Est. 3minA half dozen heads of state joined forces with leaders of cities and corporations on Monday (19 October) to call for wider adoption of carbon pricing policies ahead of a United Nations climate change summit in Paris in December.

Civil aviation falling short of climate commitments
Est. 4minEnergy efficiency in aviation is improving too slowly, and the sector is set to miss its climate objectives, a recent study by the International Council on Clean Transport has found. Journal de l'Environnement reports.

Poorer EU nations get carbon money for backing 40% emissions cut
Est. 5minPoorer EU countries will be given profits from the sale of carbon emissions allowances to modernise their energy infrastructure, in return for backing a binding 40% greenhouse gas reduction target last October.

ETS reform: EU tightens screw on ‘carbon leakage’ handouts for polluting industries
Est. 6minEnergy intensive industries will continue to receive free carbon emissions allowances, as compensation for the EU’s stricter climate rules, under planned reforms to the EU’s Emissions Trading System (ETS), but fewer will be granted.

MEPs, member states at odds over ETS reform start
Est. 5minThe European Parliament’s environment committee will decide on Tuesday (24 February) whether it wants the reformed Emissions Trading Scheme to start applying at the end of 2018 or earlier. A blocking minority of EU member states are pushing for an early start date. EURACTIV Czech Republic reports.

Carbon pricing: a challenge for the future
Est. 5minSPECIAL REPORT: The concept of carbon pricing as a tool to combat climate change is broadly accepted by the international community. But at what price, and under what conditions? As the world looks for ways to cut CO2 emissions, many questions remain unanswered. EURACTIV France reports.

MEPs fail to agree on carbon market reform start date
Est. 3minOn Thursday (22 January) a European Parliament committee, rejected a previous vote to begin carbon market reforms in 2021, clearing the way for another Parliament body next month to back action to prop up the EU Emissions Trading System (ETS).

Member states claim veto over 2030 climate and energy laws
Est. 3minEuropean Union climate and energy laws will be subject to an effective member state veto after tonight’s summit of EU leaders in Brussels.
![Germany's energy-intensive industry says it is committed to energy efficiency targets as long as international competitors are also affected. [Wolfgang Staudt/Flickr]](https://www.euractiv.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2014/10/3303943638-03729f9bc6-z-0.jpeg)
German industry issues stark warning ahead of EU climate summit
Est. 3minAs EU heads of state prepare to thrash out an agreement on the bloc's 2030 energy and climate change goals at a summit opening in Brussels tomorrow (23 October), energy-intensive industries in Germany have reiterated warnings that a European "solo effort" would come with billions in losses. EURACTIV Germany reports.
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EU summit to debate multi-billion carbon quota ‘transfer’ system
Est. 5minEXCLUSIVE: European leaders meeting later this week for an EU summit on energy and climate change will discuss proposals allowing energy-rich nations like France and Germany to transfer 10% of CO2 emissions quotas to member states such as Poland, who are struggling to diversify their energy mix. EURACTIV France reports.
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Global CO2 pricing scheme surfaces ahead of 2015 climate summit
Est. 5minA team of scholars at Paris Dauphine University has proposed an international carbon trading system, whereby countries with the highest average CO2 emissions pay the most. A simple, yet ambitious scheme that hinges upon cooperation from the world's largest emitter, China. EURACTIV France reports.

European businesses split over urgency of EU carbon market fix
Est. 3minEuropean business groups are sharply divided over how quickly and aggressively the European Union needs to reform its Emissions Trading System (ETS), a division unlikely to help spur swift changes.

EU agrees to €5bn carbon permit giveaway
Est. 3minThe European Parliament's environment committee on Wednesday (24 September) narrowly upheld plans to give billions of euros worth of carbon allowances to heavy industries for free, in order to help them compete in global markets.

Poland’s carbon emissions billions to be spent on coal, cutting budget deficit
Est. 5minBillions of euros from the sale of EU carbon credits and free emissions allowances, given in exchange for commitments to diversify Poland’s energy mix, will instead be spent on coal and cutting the country’s budget deficit, climate campaigners have said.
![Bas Eickhout [GroenLinks, Margot Scheerder / Flickr]](https://www.euractiv.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2014/09/bas_eickhout_2012.jpeg)
Lawmakers to vote on EU’s €5bn carbon permit giveaway
Est. 4minEuropean lawmakers will vote next week on whether to force the European Commission to rethink giving billions of euros worth of carbon allowances away for free to heavy industries, after a senior Green member lodged an objection.
![A coal power generation plant in Weisweiler, Germany. May 2014 [Thorsten Mohr/Flickr]](https://www.euractiv.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2014/06/14287350253-7a35c9f297-b.jpeg)
Berlin pushes Brussels to expedite emissions trading reforms
Est. 4minGermany has expressed its support for a proposal from the European Commission to reform the EU's emissions trading system, but it urges the EU to pursue more extensive improvements, and to introduce a so-called market stability reserve within the current parliamentary term. EURACTIV Germany reports.

EU tables free carbon permit proposal for heavy industries
Est. 3minMost of Europe's heavy industries should keep receiving free carbon permits to help them compete in global markets, the European Commission said in new proposals tabled on Monday (5 May).

Manufacturers resume fight for EU carbon market shake-up
Est. 4minEuropean manufacturers' lobby IFIEC Europe on Thursday (27 February) launched an attack on the EU's Emissions Trading System (ETS), opposing current reform plans and calling for drastic changes to prevent a flight of investment abroad.

Europe opts for ‘auto-backload’ of carbon markets
Est. 6minEurope’s depressed carbon markets are to be given an automatic ‘market reserve’ facility allowing at least 100 million carbon allowances – or 12% of the market – to be withheld or released to buoy prices, according to a document set for release on 22 January.