Despite some progress, European Parliament and Council of the European Union negotiators on the revision of the EU Emissions Trading System (ETS) failed to reach full agreement on the modalities for including greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from the maritime sector in the carbon market on Tuesday 22 November, during the fourth session of inter-institutional negotiations (‘trilogues’).
“It is not clear whether what has been discussed informally between the Commission, the Czech Presidency of the Council, the Chair of the Environment Committee [of the Parliament], Pascal Canfin, and myself, has a majority in the Council and in the Parliament”, said Parliament’s rapporteur on this dossier, Peter Liese (EPP, German), after the meeting.
However, he said that a deal “is within reach if all parties show goodwill” and could be finalised at the next trilogue on Tuesday 29 November.
The unfinalised agreement would mean that only 50% of travel to and from the EU would be covered, in line with the Commission’s original proposal, supported by the EU Council.
According to the Greens/EFA shadow rapporteur Michael Bloss (German), the rapporteur, the Commission and the Czech Presidency have also agreed to include CO2 emissions from the maritime sector in the ETS on a progressive basis starting in 2025, with a view to achieving 100% coverage in 2027, 3 years later than the date initially proposed by Parliament.
However, the Parliament has succeeded in extending the ETS to emissions from the maritime sector other than CO2, such as methane and N2O, according to Mr Liese.
Moreover, while the Parliament insisted on a targeted use of the revenue through the creation of an ‘Oceans Fund’, the EU Council and the Commission refused this option, the rapporteur stressed. (Original version in French by Damien Genicot)