20 years of emissions trade: greenhouse gases in Europe!

20 years of emissions trade: greenhouse gases in Europe!

Dessau-Roßlau, Deutschland - 20 years ago, in 2005, the European emissions trade (EU ETS) was launched to put Kyoto's climate protection agreement into practice. The purpose is clear: the reduction of greenhouse gases in the EU. Despite some challenges, the system has proven itself and the numbers speak for themselves. As mopo , the participating systems were able to reduce their emissions of greenhouse gases by an impressive 50 %. The entire emission in Europe even fell by 51 %, while Germany recorded a decline of around 47 %.

What is behind this success? Around 9,000 systems in the energy industry and energy-intensive industry take part in the EU emission trade, which together is responsible for around 40 % of the greenhouse gas emissions in Europe. The concept is based on a "Cap & Trade" system in which companies have to acquire emission rights in order to prove their emissions and act with each other. Over time, the number of certificates available is gradually reduced, which will increase the price pressure. By 2027, the emissions of fuels are also to be integrated into the system, which will probably make heating and recharge more expensive, so Environmental Bundesamt .

success and challenges

The positive effects of emission trade are also emphasized by the Federal Environment Agency (UBA). A noticeable decline in emissions is particularly evident in the energy sector, especially due to the increasing proportion of renewable energies and the reduction in coal electricity. Nevertheless, there was a slight increase in emissions by 1 %in the industrial sector. In total, the emissions recorded in Germany have reduced by 47 %, which is seen as a success, even if the UBA does not call a concrete proportion of emission trade in this development, reports Another interesting aspect is the CO₂ price, which was relatively low in emission trade until 2018. In the meantime, however, the price has leveled up to 55 euros per emitted tonne CO₂. Experts expect the prices to reach three -digit heights in the coming years, which may also be caused by future changes in the trade landscape.