European Parliament votes to expand EU ETS to cover shipping
The European Parliament voted in favour of an Emissions Trading System (EU ETS) reform that includes an extension to cover shipping.
PHOTO: European Parliament MEPs voting in favour of an EU ETS reform today. @AnnaHbrt via Twitter
A major turnaround of the events transpired today as EU ETS was approved by a thumping majority of 439 MEPs votes in favour, and 157 votes against, as well as 32 abstentions.
Earlier this month, the EU ETS proposal was surprisingly rejected by majority European Parliament members when it was first tabled for vote.
“Today is a big day for the climate. We will reduce four times more greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions per year than we did from 1990 until today," said European People’s Party (EPP) lawmaker Pieter Liese who was the rapporteur of the ETS proposal.
With EU ETS extended to shipping, revenues generated through emissions trading will be made available to the shipping industry for investing in low emission vessels and scale-up required infrastructure in ports, adds Liese.
“This marks a historic day for European climate policy. Expanding the EU’s flagship cap and trade scheme ensures that more of Europe’s polluters are made to pay,” said climate manager Sofie Defour of Transport & Environment, an environmental NGO.
All vessels above 400 gross tonnage, and offshore vessels that operate around offshore oil and gas facilities, are included in EU ETS, says T&E.
The breakthrough follows a vote by the European Parliament's Committee on Environment last month that went in favour of more extensive emissions regulations agenda that would include shipping.
The proposal approved by the committee would extend to cover ETS on all ship emissions from intra-European voyages by 2024. Half of the emissions from voyages to and from EU countries would be included between 2024-2026, before expanding to 100% from 2027.
Following approval from the Environment Committee, the proposal needed a green light from European Parliament members. With EU ETS now approved by the European Parliament, the proposal will now be negotiated between EU member states.
