Relief, anger and calls for reform as MEPs support measures to boost region’s cap-and-trade scheme
(Pic: EU)
The European Parliament today backed a rescue plan for its stuttering carbon market, a move seen as essential to control greenhouse gas emissions in the region.
It’s likely to ensure the release of 900 million euros worth of permits is postponed till after 2020. The market already has a glut of an estimated two billion credits, ensuring their price remains low.
The EU emissions trading scheme is the largest in the world, and is designed to encourage heavy polluters to invest in cleaner, low carbon technologies.
Its effectiveness is seen as central to the EU’s climate strategy, which is set to be updated with new and more ambitious emission reduction targets at the end of January 2014.
Member states will now discuss this temporary fix, with a final decision to be taken by the European Council.
The view from Parliament:
And finally we can close the backloading file. 385 in favour; 284 still in denial; 24 confused and abstain.
— Bas Eickhout (@BasEickhout) December 10, 2013
Yes! #Backloading is adopted. #ETS pic.twitter.com/HWX0SZ9vP1
— Matthias Groote (@Groote) December 10, 2013
#EP approves #EUETS #Backloading 385 for, 284 ag, 24 abs. Vote in @EUCouncil expected 16/17 Dec. Lead #MEP @groote
— ENVI Committee Press (@EP_Environment) December 10, 2013
EU climate chief relief:
#backloading One by one the proposals are adopted – getting ready for the next big climate step: the @EU_Commission 2030 proposal in January
— Connie Hedegaard (@CHedegaardEU) December 10, 2013
Polish climate chief anger:
Thompson Reuters says EU carbon price likely to rise to 6 Euros due to backloading vote. Heady heights.
— Marcin Korolec (@MarcinKorolec) December 10, 2013
How did the markets react?
EU agrees temp reform of ETS – but surplus allowances mean proposed 40% GHG target for 2030 is in reality only 33% http://t.co/yy8en5v2IV
— Mat Hope (@matjhope) December 10, 2013
Heavy emitters not impressed:
#Backloading bad for jobs and #energy bills #ETS http://t.co/KKRYZUWcsu
— EPP Group (@EPPGroup) December 10, 2013
Analysts call for reform:
The EU can currently increase emissions under it’s current 20% targets. Let’s not forget 2020 comes before 2030: http://t.co/Wk9MeNLTjQ — sandbag.org.uk (@sandbagorguk) December 10, 2013
Greenpeace offers its long-term assessment:
Beyond #EUETS #backloading vote: @jdblanken assesses long-term impact of surplus allowances on #EU2030 targets http://t.co/q2vStIZjB2 #ETS
— Greenpeace EU (@GreenpeaceEU) December 10, 2013