The European Commission has announced a package of proposals aimed at reducing
net greenhouse gas emissions in Europe by at least 55 per cent compared to 1990 levels by 2030.
The Fit for 55 proposals, part of the European Green Deal that would see the continent
becoming carbon neutral by 2050, include commitments to remove the free
carbon allowances the aviation sector receives as part of the EU Emissions
Trading System (ETS) and align the ETS with ICAO’s carbon offsetting and reduction
scheme for international aviation (Corsia).
The ETS would also be overhauled to reduce the overall emissions cap and
increase the annual rate of reduction in emissions. Member states would also be
required to spend the entirety of their emissions trading revenues on climate
and energy-related projects under the proposals.
A new ReFuelEU
Aviation Initiative will oblige fuel suppliers to blend increasing
levels of sustainable aviation fuels in jet fuel taken on-board at EU
airports, including synthetic low carbon fuels, known as e-fuels.
The proposals will also require the average emissions of new cars to
come down by 55 per cent from 2030 and 100 per cent from 2035 compared to
2021 levels, meaning all new cars registered as of 2035 will be zero-emission. Member
states will also be required to expand charging capacity in line with zero-emission
car sales, including installing electric charging points every 60 kilometres and
hydrogen refuelling points every 150 kilometres on major highways.
Executive vice-president for the European Green Deal, Frans Timmermans,
said: “This is the make-or-break decade in the fight against the climate
and biodiversity crises. The European Union has set ambitious targets and today
we present how we can meet them. Getting to a green and healthy future for all
will require considerable effort in every sector and every Member State.
Together, our proposals will spur the necessary changes, enable all citizens to
experience the benefits of climate action as soon as possible, and provide
support to the most vulnerable households. Europe's transition will be fair,
green and competitive."
European Commissioner for Transport, Adina Vălean, said: “We
will support the transport sector's transition into a future-proof system. We
will create a market for sustainable alternative fuels and low-carbon
technologies, while putting in place the right infrastructure to ensure the
broad uptake of zero-emission vehicles and vessels. This package will take us
beyond greening mobility and logistics. It is a chance to make the EU a
lead-market for cutting-edge technologies.”
The UK announced decarbonisation plans for domestic transport earlier this week.