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Review of the regulation on fluorinated greenhouse gases: 'Fit for 55' package
On 5 April 2022, the Commission presented a proposal for a regulation on fluorinated greenhouse gases that would repeal Regulation (EU) No 517/2014. The proposal is among the last from the 'fit for 55' package, seeking to align EU climate and energy laws with the EU Climate Law's 2030 target. The proposal aims to further reduce emissions of fluorinated greenhouse gases (F-gases). It would change the existing quota system, gradually reducing the supply of hydrofluorocarbons (HFC) to the EU market ...
What if the problem with cars was not their method of propulsion?
The European automotive industry is striving to adapt to market changes driven by the dual green and digital transition. Electrification has become the main strategy for reducing CO2 emissions, especially in urban traffic. At the same time, the average size and weight of cars have greatly increased. Big electric cars are the trend, but are they really the solution? Could better planning and optimisation of resources help?
CO2 emissions of new cars and vans
Road transport is responsible for almost a fifth of the EU's greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. The revision of the regulation on CO2 emission limits for new cars and vans under the 'fit for 55' package ensures an increasingly higher share of clean vehicles on European roads. All new cars registered after 2035 must be zero-emission vehicles. The new Alternative Fuels Infrastructure Regulation (AFIR) meanwhile provides for roll out of the necessary recharging points.
Revised EU emissions trading system
The EU emissions trading system (ETS) has been successful in reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from industry, electricity generation and aviation. The revision of the EU ETS under the 'fit for 55' package raises its ambition, extends emissions trading to maritime transport, buildings and road transport, and gradually phases out free emissions allowances, while phasing in a carbon price for certain imports.
Social Climate Fund
The Social Climate Fund will support the most vulnerable citizens and companies affected by the extension of the EU emissions trading system (ETS) to the buildings and road transport sectors. It can be used for direct income support and investments in energy efficiency-related building renovations and sustainable transport.
Revision of the industrial emissions directive
In July, Ϸվ will vote on the report adopted by its Committee on the Environment, Public Health and Food Safety (ENVI) on a Commission proposal updating EU rules to prevent and control pollution from industry. The report, as voted, would form Ϸվ's position for trilogue negotiations with the Council.
Revision of Regulation (EC) 1406/2002 establishing the European Maritime Safety Agency
In its 2020 sustainable and smart mobility strategy, the European Commission announced several legislative revisions in the domain of maritime safety, including on the regulation founding the European Maritime Safety Agency (EMSA), which was adopted in 2002 and amended several times. The Commission proposal for the revision of the EMSA Founding Regulation was adopted as part of the maritime safety package on 1 June 2023. This implementation appraisal first outlines the existing EU legislation on ...
EU carbon border adjustment mechanism: Implications for climate and competitiveness
The EU has the world's largest carbon-pricing system, the emissions trading system (ETS). Emissions pricing can encourage industrial decarbonisation, but it also risks carbon leakage, whereby EU companies move their production abroad. To date, the EU has mitigated this risk through free allocations to certain industries, but with rising climate ambition and higher carbon prices, the Commission is now seeking to phase out free allocations. A new carbon border adjustment mechanism (CBAM) will also ...
Updating CO2 emission standards for heavy-duty vehicles
The IA is underpinned by solid internal and external expertise and based on integrated modelling coherent with the interlinked European Green Deal and the REPowerEU initiatives. It is transparent on methods, builds on specifically updated assumptions and addresses potential uncertainties with two sensitivity analyses. Despite slight weaknesses in the definition of the problems and objectives, the intervention logic of the initiative is clear. The IA's annexes contain a lot of relevant information ...
The role of financial operators in the ETS market and the incidence of their activities in determining the allowances’ price.
This study investigates the role of financial actors, such as banks and investors, in the EU Emissions Trading System and their role in determining price dynamics and volatility. It concludes that activities on the market should be further monitored and data availability and quality improved. While further regulation of market participants may become necessary in the future, it is, at this stage, more important to focus on improving the Market Stability Reserve (MSR).