Lawmakers are adding key changes to the EU’s emission trading scheme (ETS). On Tuesday, November 29th, they agreed to include maritime transport within the ETS of the EU for the first time ever. That means ship operators will have to pay for the carbon emissions that they are responsible for.
The agreement is set to come into force in 2024, and shipping companies will have to buy EU carbon permits to cover 40% of their emissions, rising to 70% in 2025 and 100% in 2026.
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According to German lawmaker Peter Liese who is the European Parliament’s chief negotiator on the file, the change would lead to the savings of 120 million tonnes of carbon emissions. That is double the amount of the much-publicized EU ban on the sale of polluting vehicles.
Globally, the maritime sector’s carbon footprint came at more than 144 million tons of CO2 in 2019 which was around 3% of total greenhouse gas emissions.
The idea for the sector to be a part of the scheme was raised for the first time a decade ago, however, progress was slowed due to concerns over international competitiveness.
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What follows next is potentially final talks about to take place on 16-17 December.
“This will not only help the climate but also improve air pollution in cities close to rivers and the coast,” added Mr Liese on the ETS rules of the EU.
