Brussels (Brussels Morning Newspaper) – The EU ETS saw a 16.5% emission decrease in 2023, supporting climate goals, with €43.6 billion funding climate action.
The European Commission has assumed the Carbon Market Report, which analyses and presents the functioning of the EU Emissions Trading System (EU ETS) in 2023 and the first half of 2024.
How has renewable energy impacted the EU emissions trading system?
As reported by the EU Commission, in 2023 the EU ETS was characterised by a historic 16.5% decrease in emissions from installations – driven by the power sector. Renewable electricity production grew substantially (primarily wind and solar), and the trend of gas replacing coal in power generation continued. With this development, ETS emissions from installations are about 47.6% below 2005 levels and the ETS is well on track to achieve the 2030 target of -62%.
Moreover, in the latest assessment of the European Securities and Markets Authority (ESMA), the EU carbon market remained steady in 2023 and continued to operate in line with market fundamentals.
Further, EU ETS revenues remain an essential source of funding for the climate transition. According to the 2024 EU Climate Action Progress Report, €43.6 billion was extended in 2023 and primarily distributed to national budgets of the Member States to tackle climate change, as well as to the Innovation Fund, the Modernisation Fund and the Resilience and Recovery Facility for the REPowerEU plan.
Finally, the EU Commission also communicates on the volumes of allowances auctioned for the REPowerEU plan to assist tackle climate change, advance the clean energy transition and address energy poverty.
What is the significance of EU ETS?
Founded in 2005, the EU ETS operates in trading phases. The system is now in its fourth trading stage (2021-2030). The legislative framework of the EU ETS is spelt out in the ETS Directive. Over the years, the Directive has experienced several revisions to align the system with the overarching EU climate marks. The ETS Directive for the fourth trading phase was first changed in 2018, in line with the EU’s 2030 climate and energy framework, founded in 2014. With the launch of the European Green Deal and more enterprising climate targets under the European Climate Law, the Directive was revised further in 2023.
