The European Parliament’s rapporteur on the revision of the EU Emissions Trading System (ETS), Peter Liese (EPP, Germany), and the shadow rapporteurs of the other political groups held, on Monday 28 March, their third meeting since the presentation of Mr Liese’s draft report.
According to information gathered by EUROPE, the discussions focused on the use of revenues from auctioning of allowances, the inclusion of the maritime sector in the ETS, the ‘Modernisation Fund’ and the ‘Innovation Fund’.
On the first point, a majority is said to want to exclude nuclear power from the sectors that could benefit from these revenues.
The inclusion of the maritime sector in the ETS continues to divide the political groups on a number of issues, including the possibility of covering journeys starting or ending outside the European Economic Area, the gross tonnage of vessels above which the ETS would apply (5,000 t versus 400 t), the modalities of operation of the future ‘Oceans Fund’ and the introduction of a special clause for vessels sailing in the icy waters of the Arctic Ocean (which consume more fuel).
The idea of ‘frontloading’ the ‘Innovation Fund’, on the other hand, was widely supported.
The next meeting, scheduled for 5 April, is expected to address the issue of free allowances and the number of allowances in circulation.
The proposal to create a second ETS covering greenhouse gas emissions from the heating of buildings and road transport is not expected to be discussed before Easter. (Original version in French by Damien Genicot)