17/07/2026 (Agence Europe) – The Commission published, on Friday 17 July, State aid guidance on carbon contracts for difference (CCfDs), according to a press release. They are intended to help Member States design State aid schemes based on CCfDs, in line with the Guidelines on State aid for climate, environmental protection and energy (CEEAG). A CCfD is a subsidy agreement concluded between a granting authority and a beneficiary with the aim of reducing greenhouse gas emissions by removing the financial risks linked to decarbonisation projects. It guarantees remuneration (strike price) for each tonne of CO₂ that the beneficiary avoids emitting. If the market carbon price is lower than the strike price, the granting authority pays the difference to the beneficiary. Conversely, if the market price is above the strike price, the beneficiary may have to pay back the difference. For more information: https://aeur.eu/f/mxv (EN)