ETS Reform: what has happened so far

Climate action

EU decision makers are currently discussing how to reform its Emissions Trading Scheme for the period 2021-2030. Here is what has happened so far:

October 2014 EU Heads of State and Government agreed to a 2030 at least -40% greenhouse gas reduction target below 1990 emissions. (This is also the EU’s INDC under UNFCCC). They also set the two targets that are to meet this overall target:

  • 1.Emissions Trading Scheme – ETS (for power & industry GHGs): -43% below 2005 emissions
  • 2. Effort Sharing Regulation – ESR (for transport, building, agriculture, some industry, waste):
    -30% below 2005 emissions, broken down in national targets for all 28 EU Member States, read more: Effort Sharing Decision/Regulation
In July 2015, the European Commission released its proposal on the ETS reform. This proposal is discussed by the European Parliament and the Member States. 

European Parliament 

UK MEP Ian Duncan (ECR), leads the European Parliament’s discussion.

European Council

In the Environment Council the Member States debate the ETS proposal under the leadership of its consecutive presidencies: 2016: Netherlands, Slovakia, 2017: Malta, Estonia (no UK presidency!), 2018: Bulgaria, Austria. Discussions are ongoing and will likely take until the middle or the end of 2017. 

On 28. Feb 2017 the Council decided on its Position on the ETS reform, see Outcome of the Environment Council agreement on the ETS reform

Trialogue

Negotiations between the European Commission, Council and Parliament start now that both the European Parliament and the Council have their positions. 

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