By confronting the aviation industry’s full climate impact, our research shows that by applying the polluter-pays principle and expanding carbon pricing to non-covered aviation climate impacts, there could be a tenfold increase in EU ETS revenues between 2025 and 2040 from the aviation sector.
The continued allocation of free emission allowances has contributed to the limited decarbonisation of steel, cement and chemicals sectors, which remain the major sources of EU industrial CO2 pollution.
The EU Emissions Trading System (ETS), which requires polluters to pay for their emissions, was a world first, yet international aviation emissions are still exempt from ETS pricing despite their huge climate damage. The EU must now bring international aviation back under regulation, stand up for its values and reaffirm its role as a global climate action leader.
NGOs are concerned that measures outlined in NSCPs will be insufficient to protect those most vulnerable to ETS2 prices. National governments must prioritise completing their plans as soon as possible, but not at the expense of meaningful stakeholder engagement.
In 2012, it was undoubtedly the main reason for backing down: the EU had dropped its plan to cover all flights departing from and arriving in Europe under its carbon market scheme, following intense pressure from industry and major economies, not least the United States. It was the infamous ‘stop the clock’ to the full scope under the EU Emissions Trading System (ETS).
Although the European Commission has consulted with a wide range of stakeholders to investigate how to slash emissions from the agrifood sector in the 2030s, the options on the table indicate that the EU is not serious about tackling the roots of the issue.
The EU’s Emissions Trading System is essential to meeting the European Union’s 2040 climate target. Watering the EU ETS down with international carbon credits or carbon removals will prove fatal, concludes a study commissioned by Carbon Market Watch. Under pressure from industry and pro-business stakeholders, the European Commission has been toying with ways to water …
Read more “Flexibilities in 2040 target risk breaking the EU carbon market – study”
The report calls for a phased reduction in international credit use within K-ETS, increased focus on domestic emission reductions, and alignment with best practices from systems like the EU ETS. Strengthening the environmental integrity of K-ETS is essential to achieving South Korea’s climate goals and ensuring the global credibility of the country’s climate action by putting in place and implementing robust and effective policies.
Everyone concerned about the health of the planet and of our democracies needs to stand with European green groups as we resist a concerted political campaign to defund us.
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