‘Lead markets’ for low-carbon cement gain momentum
Demand for pricier low-carbon industrial products can be encouraged with a reform of public procurement rules and the creation of ‘lead markets’ for green cement, the industry has argued ahead of new EU policy proposals due in the coming mandate.
Read MoreFrance’s CCS rollout plan stopped in its tracks after government falls
Plans to develop carbon capture and storage (CCS) in France have made headway over the past months and will resume as soon as the political situation stabilises and the 2025 budget is voted, an official told EU policymakers on Thursday.
Read MoreINTERVIEW: EU 90% climate target should be “emission reductions only”, says Swedish MEP
The EU’s 2040 climate target proposal, due early next year, should make a clear distinction between emission reductions and carbon removals, said Swedish lawmaker Emma Wiesner, denouncing the bloc’s plans to put forward a net target as “a slap in the face” and “a huge betrayal” for the European Parliament.
Read MoreBrussels preparing ‘net’ climate goal for 2040, EU sources confirm
The European Commission is preparing to unveil its 2040 climate target proposal towards the end of February, based on the assumption that it will be a “net” greenhouse gas reduction objective of 90% that also includes CO2 removals from soils and forestry, a senior EU source told Carbon Pulse.
Read MoreFEATURE: Industrial emitters shun EU carbon market, leaving analysts scratching their heads
Europe’s industrial slump is widely seen as the main driver behind weak demand for CO2 allowances on the EU carbon market, but some analysts suggest emitters may also be satisfied with the status quo while betting that Europe will eventually backtrack on its climate ambitions or – at the very least – adjust its policies.
Read MoreNew research highlights trade-offs in EU ETS integration of carbon removals
An effective integration of carbon removals in the EU’s Emissions Trading Scheme (EU ETS) requires a careful balance of trade-offs and will, in any case, be insufficient to bridge the gap between prices on the bloc’s carbon market and costly removal technologies like direct air carbon capture and storage (DACCS).
Read MoreEU approves Sweden request to extend ETS2 to new sectors
The European Commission on Wednesday approved Sweden’s request to unilaterally extend the scope of its Emissions Trading System for heating and transport fuels (ETS2) to new sectors, including railways, and vehicles used in agriculture, forestry, and fishing.
Read MoreCampaigners denounce ArcelorMittal’s ‘blackmail’ over green steel in Europe
Environmental groups have condemned ArcelorMittal’s decision to freeze its green steel projects in Europe, saying the move was “motivated by political games” in order to extract more policy support and subsidies from the incoming European Commission.
Read MoreINTERVIEW: EU carbon market becoming more volatile as industrial emissions overtake power sector
Heavy industries, led by steel and the oil and gas sector, are fast-eating into the power sector’s share of emissions under the EU ETS, opening a new era made of greater uncertainty in the bloc’s carbon market, say analysts.
Read MoreArcelorMittal freezes green steel projects in Europe, waits for EU policy guidance
Europe’s largest steelmaker, ArcelorMittal, announced on Tuesday it had frozen final investment decisions over its ongoing decarbonisation projects on the continent until the company has “full visibility” on the EU policy environment.
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