EU to present tougher climate change rules with ‘Fit For 55’

The EU’s upcoming “Fit For 55” package of measures, setting stricter and more ambitious objectives for a 55 percent carbon emission reduction by 2030, promises to bring about widespread change in the energy sector, impacting renewable energy, energy efficiency, the Emissions Trading System (ETS), energy taxation and forestry regulations.

National Energy and Climate Plans will need to be adjusted once the package comes into effect.

The package, whose details are planned to be presented by the European Commission on July 14, will, without a doubt, have an immediate impact on CO2 emission rights, seen rising even higher than yesterday’s new all-time high of 57.90 euros per ton, even though some time will be required before disagreements are overcome and the package is ratified in EU parliament.

“Fit For 55” has already prompted negative reaction from EU members states in the east.

The ETS is expected to apply to a greater number of sectors, the objective being to push CO2 emission right prices higher so that polluters are forced to reduce emissions rather than pay exorbitant amounts.

The RES sector’s representation in the EU energy mix, currently set at 32 percent for 2030, will be pushed higher to levels of between 35 and 40 percent, according to sources. Environmental organizations have been pressuring for an even more ambitious level of 50 percent.

Also, the measures will introduce transboundary taxes on non-EU countries regarded as making a lesser effort, than the EU, to combat climate change.

The new rules are also expected to reinforce Land use, land-use change, and forestry (LULUCF) regulations set by the UN Climate Change Secretariat.

Industrial sector updated on forthcoming ETS revisions

EVIKEN, the Association of Industrial Energy Consumers, and counterpart associations from all over Europe, have met with Directorate-General for Climate Change (DG CLIMA) officials to be updated on forthcoming EU Emission Trading System (ETS) revisions.

Organized by IFIEC Europe, the International Federation of Industrial Energy Consumers, the meeting involved the participation of over 20 national and sector representatives, including representatives from EVIKEN, Alliance, Eurofer, Eurometaux, EU Lime, EU Fertilizers and EU Salt.

Particpants were informed that the ten-year period to cover 2021 to 2030 has been divided into two five-stages for most matters, the objective being to faciliate corrective interventions.

A finalized ETS directive is expected in March, while a preliminary Carbon Leakage List is planned to be published in May, the DG CLIMA officials informed, timed to allow for national-level reactions concerning sectors that could be marginally beyond the limits. Any reactions will need to be officially forwarded by June 30.

The European Commission is working on an arrangement that would free emission rights for a variety of industrial activities without undermining energy efficiency efforts.