2023-04-18 18:35:22
Europeans have taken a crucial step on the path that should lead them to carbon neutrality by 2050. In Strasbourg, Tuesday 18 April, MEPs adopted, by a large majority, several texts at the heart of the legislative package designed to put the Twenty-Seven in line with the Paris agreement. These still have to be validated by the Member States on April 25, but, barring any surprises, this should be a mere formality.
On Tuesday, elected officials first endorsed the reform of the carbon market (known as “ETS” for Emissions Trading System) on which energy companies and the most polluting industries – cement, steel, aluminum… – trade rights to pollute. When it was created in 2005, it was decided that these would decrease by 43% in twenty-five years in order to raise the price of a tonne of CO2 and encourage industry to emit less. It is now accepted that they must have fallen by 62% between 2005 and 2030 and that in the long term the free quotas will disappear.
What’s more, the carbon market will see its scope widened: at cruising speed, it will cover 65% of CO emissions.2 of the Old Continent, against 40% today. Not only will it be extended to the maritime sector and to intra-European air flights, but in addition, a second carbon market, known as “ETS 2”, will see the light of day, which will affect consumers in their wallets, at the pump or on their electricity bill.
Opposition of the French Greens
Fearing to see “yellow vests” settle on all European roundabouts, some Member States, including France, as well as the elected officials of Strasbourg have nevertheless obtained that the initial copy of the Commission be reviewed.
Thus, from 2027 (or 2028 if the surge in energy prices were to continue), households will certainly pay for the heating of buildings and fuel for road transport, but with a ceiling set at 45 euros per tonne of CO2 until 2030.
“Then the Commission will have to make a new proposal”assures the macronist Pascal Canfin, president of the environment committee of the European Parliament, who was opposed to the Commission’s proposal and judges that “the amended device will have no impact on the purchasing power of the French” since the price per ton of CO2 in France amounts to 44.60 euros.
The French Greens and their colleagues from La France insoumise (LFI) do not see things the same way and remain opposed to the final compromise. “Nothing has been learned from the ‘yellow vests'”regrets Manon Aubry (LFI), the president of the group of the radical left in the European Parliament. “The French Greens were the only Greens to vote against carbon market reform”, observes Pascal Canfin.
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