Publications

Reducing demand: a quantitative analysis of energy service demand indicators in sufficiency-oriented scenarios

A reduction of energy service demand in all sectors is required to reach ambitious climate and other sustainability goals. A growing number of energy and climate scenarios does include detailed assumptions and quantified parameters for the reduction of energy service demand. However, the indicators

Overview and country level analysis from 2005 to 2019

Development of the iron and steelmaking sector under the EU ETS

This report aims to describe key developments of the iron and steelmaking sector in the period from 2005 to 2019. It identifies key drivers behind the trends in emissions, production levels, investments, and the market environment on the country and installation level by giving an overview of the EU

Status, performance, trends and implications for sustainable development

Monitoring the German Bioeconomy - Summary

The sustainable bioeconomy is climate neutral, supports circular use, keeps levels of consumption within ecological limits and promotes innovation for bio-based product use in prosperous German markets. The monitoring of these aspects is the basis for effective policy measures aimed at steering bioe

Status, performance, trends and implications for sustainable development

Monitoring the German Bioeconomy

The sustainable bioeconomy is climate neutral, supports circular use, keeps levels of consumption within ecological limits and promotes innovation for bio-based product use in prosperous German markets. The monitoring of these aspects is the basis for effective policy measures aimed at steering bioe

Working Paper 4/2024

Accounting of negative and neutral emission technologies (NETs)

By means of case studies applied in the Finnish context we assess reporting and accounting rules applicable to negative and neutral emission technologies (NETs), including BECCS, fossil CCS, CCU / BECCU with long-term carbon storage involving enforced concrete carbonation, CCU / BECCU / DACCU with s

Working Paper of Sino-German Track II Dialogue on Climate Change and Sustainable Development

Energy security in Germany and China

In this working paper, created by a joint German and Chinese expert team as part of the Sino-German Track II Dialogue on Climate Change and Sustainable Development, the two countries’ different responses to the 2021-2023 energy security crises and their respective advantages and lessons are evalua

MEG equivalents and the SVHC Score: assessment of problematic substances in software and digital services

A wide range of chemicals are used in the manufacture and use of electronic devices. For most applications, alternatives for problematic substances are now available that have better properties. For the assessment of sustainability in the ICT sector, it is therefore important to know to what extent

Urgent strategies to improve the lead-acid battery recycling sector

Lead-acid batteries, widely used in vehicles and energy storage systems, present significant economic and environmental challenges, especially in Ghana. The country generates approximately 36,700 tons of used lead-acid batteries (ULABs) annually. However, recycling these batteries often leads to sub

Final Report

Transport poverty: definitions, indicators, determinants, and mitigation strategies

This final report summarises the outcomes of the study “Transport poverty: Definitions, indicators, determinants, and mitigation strategies” commissioned by DG EMPL. Proceeding based on three tasks, the project (i) investigates the concepts and definitions related to transport poverty, (ii) rese

Systematic assessment of the achieved emission reductions of carbon crediting projects

Carbon markets play an important role in firms’ and governments’ climate strategies. Carbon crediting mechanisms allow project developers to earn carbon credits through mitigation projects. Several studies have raised concerns about environmental integrity, though a systematic evaluation is miss

Permanent carbon removals through DACCS/BioCCS

Assessment of the draft technical specifications for certification under the EU CRCF

This document provides an assessment of the proposed draft technical specifications for permanent carbon removals through DACCS/BioCCS, dated 1 October 2024. Overall, the methodology identifies and accounts for most relevant emission sources. In its current form, however, it is likely to lead to ove

Biochar

Assessment of the draft technical specifications for certification under the EU CRCF

This document provides an assessment of the proposed draft technical specifications for the certification of permanent carbon removals through biochar, dated 10 November 2024. In its current form, the methodology may lead to substantial overestimation of removals. In some instances, no removals may

Cross-cutting findings applicable to all six assessed methodologies

Assessment of the draft technical specifications for certification under the EU CRCF

This document summarizes cross-cutting findings from the assessment of six proposed methodologies for mitigation activities under the EU Carbon Removal Certification Frame-work (CRCF), published by the European Commission in October 2024. Overall, the meth-odologies need considerable improvement to

Long-term temporary biogenic carbon storage in buildings

Assessment of the draft technical specifications for certification under the EU CRCF

This document provides an assessment of the document “Technical assessment of certification methodologies for long-term temporary biogenic carbon storage in buildings”, dated 19 September 2024.

Peatland rewetting

Assessment of the draft technical specifications for certification under the EU CRCF

This document provides an assessment of the draft elements for an EU certification methodology on carbon farming under the CRCF regulation for the activity type peatland restoration through rewetting, published in October 2024. Overall, the draft elements are still incomplete and currently do not

Planting of trees on unused and severely degraded land

Assessment of the draft technical specifications for certification under the EU CRCF

This document provides an assessment of the proposed draft technical specifications for temporary removals through carbon farming activities that meet the scope of planting of trees on unused and severely degraded land (available as of October 2024). The draft elements for a methodology include some

Soil carbon in mineral soils and agro-forestry

Assessment of the draft technical specifications for certification under the EU CRCF

This document provides an assessment of the proposed draft elements for an EU certification methodology on soil carbon in mineral soils and agro-forestry, provided on 11 October 2024.

The EU Emissions Trading System in numbers

ETC CM report 2024/09: Trends and projections in the EU ETS in 2024

This report analyses historical, current and future emissions trends under the European Union (EU) Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS). It also analyses the balance between supply and demand of allowances on the market. This report is based on data and information provided by the European Commission and

eceee policy guide 2024:1

Leveraging energy efficiency to combat energy poverty in the EU

As contributors to this policy guide, we are pleased to present a resource that combines the capabilities of artificial intelligence (AI) with the insights and expertise of the energy efficiency community. Developed in collaboration with a large language model, this document offers a structured, acc

Options for addressing the risk of non-permanence for land-based mitigation in carbon crediting programmes

To address climate change, we must reduce greenhouse gas emissions and scale up carbon dioxide removal from the atmosphere. Carbon crediting programs incentivize these actions by issuing tradable credits for each tonne of CO₂ equivalent reduction. However, not all carbon credits guarantee permanen