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EU warns against ETS price controls
EU warns against ETS price controls
Brussels, 1 October (Argus) — Brussels has warned that proposed changes to carbon-market intervention rules could weaken the EU emissions trading system (ETS) and has criticised broader free allocation exemptions in the European Parliament's draft reform package, but the European Commission has broadly welcomed German centre-right EPP lawmaker Peter Liese's draft report ahead of internal parliamentary negotiations. The proposed changes to the excessive price fluctuation mechanism under Article 29a of the ETS directive would ultimately weaken the bloc's carbon market, a senior commission official told the European Parliament's environment committee today. "Trying to engineer a carbon price through frequent market intervention will lead to less cost effectiveness and will reduce market and investment predictability. It will ultimately weaken our well-designed ETS system," said Rosalinde van der Vlies, director for carbon markets and clean mobility at the commission's climate directorate. Van der Vlies also criticised Liese's proposal to broaden exemptions from conditionality requirements for free ETS allocations granted to installations among the 40pc most efficient facilities in a sector or sub-sector. "We want to stop being in the business of handing out free lunches," she said, while acknowledging Liese's "very solid report" and his efforts to build a majority in the parliamentary committee. While Liese's draft proposal "may not be perfect", he said he was open to ideas to improve it. "But we need to work fast," he said. EU states are eyeing agreements on their position on ETS reform for a meeting of climate and environment ministers on 11 December. A key priority for Liese is ensuring member states make more effective use of ETS revenues. "Too much of their money has not been used efficiently enough," he said. On aviation, Liese said including flights to the US and Asia within the ETS could have triggered "serious" reactions from third countries. "The 5,000km approach improves environmental integrity while being fairer to European hubs and tourist regions. But the devil is still in the details," he said. On maritime transport, Liese said the commission had proposed a sound approach. "We are looking at improvements, particularly to protect European ports against evasion," he said. On waste, Liese noted parliament has repeatedly called for waste incineration to be included in the ETS, but said a 2028 start date would be too early. "The commission's gradual approach towards 2034 is more pragmatic," he said, adding that member states should use the intervening period to prevent waste being diverted to landfill. "I don't believe that the commission's proposal, nor Liese's proposal, will fulfil the climate law," Dutch S&D lawmaker Mohammed Chahim said. Chahim, who is drafting parliament's opinion on reform of the carbon border adjustment mechanism, noted that both member states and parliament had approved the EU Climate Law. "And then they come with legislation that breaks the climate law," he said. Chahim argued that under the current proposals, sectors covered by the effort-sharing regulation would have to deliver deeper emissions cuts if the ETS is to achieve its 2040 target. "That's agriculture, that's transport, that's all non-ETS sectors," he said. Far-right Patriots lawmaker Mathilde Androuet said Europe's decarbonisation targets remain overly ambitious. "We cannot shift the industrial burden on to agriculture and transport, which are already struggling," she said. Androuet called for the annual reduction rate of ETS allowances, known as the linear reduction factor, to be cut to 1.7pc for 2031-35 and to 1.3pc from 2036, and from 3.7pc and 1.7pc proposed by the commission, respectively. The Patriots group also opposes the inclusion of municipal waste incinerators in the ETS and rejects conditions attached to member states' use of ETS auction revenues, particularly minimum spending requirements. "States must remain free to allocate these resources," Androuet said. She also voiced opposition to extending the ETS to international flights. Lawmakers have until 6 October to offer amendments to the draft report. The environment committee is expected to vote on its position on 1 December, followed by a plenary vote later in the same month. By Dafydd ab Iago Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2026. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.
Turkey adopts ETS pilot phase rules
Turkey adopts ETS pilot phase rules
London, 1 October (Argus) — Turkey has adopted rules and procedures for the functioning of the pilot phase of its emissions trading system (ETS), which will be implemented in 2026-27. While obligated companies will only be subject to monitoring, reporting and verification (MRV) in 2026, the first compliance obligation will only arise for 2027 emissions, with the deadline for surrendering allowances equivalent to verified emissions set to be the last working day of November 2028. Free allocation will be set at 100pc for 2027, and the rules also confirm that banks and other financial institutions will not be allowed to participate in the pilot phase. Offsetting through carbon credits may only be allowed if specifically approved by the Carbon Market Board (CMB), according to the rules. This came as a surprise to market participants, as authorities have in the past indicated there will be no offsetting during the pilot phase. Allowances issued during the pilot can only be used for pilot obligations, and not be carried to the final phase. Any unmet pilot phase obligations will be carried forward into obligations under the first full implementation period. Benchmark values — which will determine free allocations for each category — will be set differently for power and non-power sectors. Power benchmarks will be calculated using five-year weighted-average emissions intensity — 2023-27 for the pilot phase. Benchmarks will be determined separately for each power plant, through a CMB decision. Industrial benchmarks, on the other hand, will rely on current-year sector-wide emission intensities. The directorate for climate change under the ministry will establish and publish benchmarks for each sub-installation for industrial firms. Benchmarks will be published through the national allocation plan, after verification reports are submitted. Obligated firms in the pilot phase must submit initial monitoring methodology plans by the end of October, according to the recently adopted ETS implementing act. The deadline to submit verified data for 2026 emissions is set on 30 April 2027 and for 2027 emissions on 30 April 2028. Power generators must submit historical emissions intensity data for 2023-25 by 30 June. The pilot phase is limited to five sectors which are also subject to the EU's carbon border adjustment mechanism (CBAM) — namely, electricity, cement, iron and steel, aluminium and fertilisers. Installations emitting 50,000t of CO2 equivalent or above must participate. The CMB can amend the pilot phase's scope, duration or implementation rules, according to the adopted text. It also confirmed that Turkey's first formal ETS compliance period will run during 2028-35, split into the 2028-30 and 2031-35 sub-periods. By Erisa Senerdem Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2026. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.
India's Bihar state approves green hydrogen policy
India's Bihar state approves green hydrogen policy
New Delhi, 1 October (Argus) — India's eastern state of Bihar has approved its green hydrogen policy, aiming to produce 100,000 t/yr of renewable hydrogen by 2031. The move formalises a framework first released in draft form in April. The state cabinet approved the policy on 30 September which aims to support deployment of 1GW of electrolyser capacity and 2.5GW of renewable energy capacity dedicated to hydrogen and ammonia production. The state estimates the policy could attract around 160bn Indian rupees ($1.66bn) of investment. Under the policy, electrolysis-based hydrogen projects will be eligible for reimbursement of 10pc of capital expenditure, capped at Rs10mn/MW, while biomass-based hydrogen projects will also qualify for capital support. Incentives are also available for hydrogen refuelling stations and hydrogen-powered transport. Projects will receive exemptions from electricity duty, state goods and services tax, transmission and wheeling charges, stamp duty and land conversion fees. The state also plans to introduce a single-window clearance mechanism and fast-track approvals for environmental permits, grid connectivity and open-access arrangements. The policy identifies fertiliser and refinery sectors as initial demand centres for renewable hydrogen, while also targeting future use in chemicals, steel, heavy transport, energy storage and city gas distribution. Infrastructure development, including pipelines and industrial clusters near consumption centres, is also planned. The target of 100,000 t/yr may be ambitious given that Bihar is not currently home to any advanced renewable hydrogen or ammonia project plans. By Anmol Choubey Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2026. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.
EU committee calls for more climate finance at Cop 31
EU committee calls for more climate finance at Cop 31
Brussels, 1 October (Argus) — The EU and its member states should continue increasing climate finance through EU and national budgets, the European Parliament's environment committee said in a non-binding resolution it adopted today. The committee met ahead of the UN Cop 31 climate summit, which takes place in Antalya, Turkey, on 9-20 November. Backed by the EPP, S&D, Renew, Green and Left political groups, the resolution calls for stronger climate action from the aviation and maritime sectors. The clear cross-party majority in committee, of 50 votes with 16 against and 3 abstentions, indicates the likelihood of backing being given by the whole parliament at its 19-22 October plenary session. The draft resolution urges the International Civil Aviation Organization's Carbon Offsetting and Reduction Scheme for International Aviation (Corsia) and international shipping policies to align with a 1.5°C pathway, warning that the International Maritime Organization's draft net-zero framework is unlikely on its own to achieve that goal. The Paris climate agreement seeks to curb the global rise in temperature to "well below" 2°C above pre-industrial levels and pursues a 1.5°C limit. The committee said climate finance should be provided primarily through grants and concessional finance, while mobilising private capital. It stressed that funding should be additional to official development assistance and warned against double counting under the new collective quantified goal (NCQG) — which targets a minimum of $300bn/yr by 2035 . Lawmakers also called for a "dedicated and predictable" EU public finance mechanism to ensure the bloc delivers its fair share. The resolution highlighted the need for robust standards for high-quality carbon credits. The European Commission in July proposed allowing up to 260mn international credits in 2036-40 to count towards the EU's 2040 climate target, subject to safeguards on environmental integrity. Members of parliament also stressed the need for transparency, additionality and the avoidance of double counting. The committee further called on member states not to include fossil fuel lobbyists, or representatives of fossil fuel industry associations, in their Cop 31 delegations. EU member states are also expected to adopt conclusions before Cop 31, with diplomats discussing language on scaling up climate finance for developing countries and recognising "innovative" funding sources, including high-quality international carbon credits. By Dafydd ab Iago Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2026. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.
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