EC: European Energy Union goals make good progress

(1) the overall trend. 1 the EU as a whole continues to make good progress in achieving the goals of the Energy Alliance, especially the energy and climate targets for 2020. In 2015, EU greenhouse gas emissions were 22% lower than in 1990, and emissions from industries covered by the European Energy Union's carbon emissions trading system (ETS) continued to decline. Based on 2014 data, EU renewable energy accounts for 16 per cent of total energy consumption. (2) the European Union has successfully decoupled its economic growth from greenhouse gas emissions. Between 1990 and 2015, EU gross domestic product (GDP) grew by 50 per cent, while emissions decreased by 22 per cent. According to the current trend forecast, the trend of decoupling between economic growth and greenhouse gas emissions will continue. (3) the EU has significantly reduced the intensity of greenhouse gas emissions. The European Union is currently one of the most economically efficient economies in greenhouse gas emissions and has become the most economically efficient country in the Group of 20 leading economies by setting climate and energy targets for 2030.

(2) the operation of EU carbon market. The EU carbon emissions trading system (EU ETS) quota surplus fell for the first time in 2015. 1 in the third year of the implementation of the third phase of EU ETS, the system continues to achieve emission reduction. Greenhouse gas emissions have been reduced by about 0.4 per cent, maintaining the downward trend of the past five years. 2 in 2015, the cumulative surplus of EU ETS emission quotas fell in the market for the first time since 2009, with an emission quota of about 300 million tons. This is largely due to a deep and persistent recession, with emissions reduced more than expected. 3 according to the revised rules proposed in the fourth phase (2021-2030), the EU carbon emissions trading system will continue to be the cost-benefit driver of low-carbon investment in the next few years. A stronger and well-functioning European carbon market will make a significant contribution to Europe's transition to a low-carbon and energy security economy.

(3) the implementation of CCS instruction. The European Commission adopts the CCS directive implementation report. 1 the European Commission adopted the second implementation report on the CCS Directive, which sets out the rules for the safe geological storage of CO2 in the European Union. The report points out that during the reporting period from May 2013 to April 2016, EU member states unanimously adopted the provisions of the CCS Directive. Some member States have made progress in the assessment of storage capacity, but all new projects need to be further assessed in more detail. (2) the newly built power plants generally exceed the requirements of the CCS directive, and reserve land for the necessary equipment for CCS, which is technically and economically feasible in the future. 3 in February 2014, the Council of Europe issued the first report on the implementation of the CCS Directive. The European Commission will continue to assess the implementation of the directive and plans to produce a third report in October 2019.

(4) Transportation system. Most European road transport fuels meet strict EU quality rules. 1in 2016, the European Commission issued the European low-carbon Transport Strategy, which proposes that by the middle of this century, greenhouse gas emissions in the transport industry will be at least 60% lower than the 1990 level, firmly leading to the zero carbon emission target, while ensuring the flow demand and global connectivity of people and goods. 2 in the European Union, fuels used for road transport must meet stringent quality requirements to protect health and the environment and to ensure safe driving of vehicles between member States. The report focuses on the quality of gasoline and diesel used for road transport in the EU in 2014 and 2015, noting that the internal market for transport fuel is working well and that EU policies have achieved a high level of environmental and health protection. The vast majority of fuels meet the specifications specified in the fuel quality directive. Member States have continuously improved the monitoring and reporting of fuel quality and sampling has become more complete and sound. Rare non-compliance is usually approved by member States and there is no negative impact of non-compliant fuel on vehicle emissions or engine function.

(5) Aviation carbon emissions. The European Commission has made recommendations for the revision of EU ETS with a view to addressing the growing problem of aviation emissions. The European Union is the main advocate for tackling the fast-growing problem of aviation emissions. At the 2016 General Assembly of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), the European Union and its member States played an important role in ensuring that international aviation emissions were controlled by global market measures. The system will require airlines to monitor and report annual CO2 emissions from their international routes and offset those emissions by 2020. 2 the EU needs to revise the EU ETS in order to maintain the contribution of the aviation sector to the European climate objectives and the smooth implementation of ICAO global market measures. The European Commission recommends that the coverage of the current EU aviation emissions trading system be maintained to ensure fair competition and equal treatment for all European airlines.

(6) HFCs emission reduction. The European Commission adopted a recommendation for the European Union to ratify the amendment to the Montreal Protocol on the Global gradual reduction of hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) to address the rapid growth of these potent greenhouse gas emissions. The proposal is in accordance with the Kigali Amendment Agreement signed in October 2016, in which 197 parties agreed to gradually restrict the production and use of HFCs. The first reduction control period for developed countries is 2019, and most developing countries will control HFC levels from rising by 2024.

Source: KuaiBao, Scientific dynamic Monitoring of Climate change, Lanzhou Literature and Information Center, Chinese Academy of Sciences, No. 5, 2017. Please indicate the source.