European Union Member States expect greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions covered by the Emissions Trading System (ETS) to continue to decline over the next few decades, but at a slower rate than before, says a report published by the European Environment Agency (EEA) on Wednesday 12 January.
According to the report, total emissions from stationary installations covered by the ETS (factories, power plants, etc.) fell by 11.4% between 2019 and 2020, the largest annual decrease since the ETS came into force in 2005.
The EEA says that this decrease is largely explained by the decreases in electricity demand and industrial activity due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Emissions from combustion plants and other industrial activities covered by the ETS have reduced by 13.9 and 7.3%, respectively, between 2019 and 2020.
The impact of the pandemic is even greater for aviation. Emissions from air travel covered by the ETS fell by 63% over the same period.
Compared to 2005, emissions from fixed installations decreased by 43% in 2020.
According to the Member States’ projections, emissions covered by the ETS are expected to decrease by 41-48% by 2030 and 55-62% by 2040 compared to 2005, representing a slowdown.
These anticipated reductions could nevertheless increase with the implementation of the ‘Fit for 55’ package, notes the EEA.
Read the report: https://bit.ly/3nlQZ5Q (Original version in French by Damien Genicot)