Publications

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

EU 2040 Climate Target: Contributions of the Energy Supply Sector

The European Union (EU) is legally obliged to achieve climate neutrality by 2050 and has an interim target for 2030 of reducing net Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions by 55% compared to 1990. The European Climate Law also requires the EU to adopt a climate target for 2040. In its Communication of 6 F

FAQ on carbon credits and climate mitigation

This FAQ provides information on the challenges and quality differences in the use of carbon credits, the limits of carbon offsetting and new ways of financing climate action.

Trends and projections in Europe 2024

EEA Report 11/2024

[Translate to English:] changing rainfall patterns are reshaping the physical environment and are also impacting people′s food and water security, energy supply, financial stability and health. Over the past year, global temperatures have consistently exceeded the 1.5°C threshold (Copernicus Clim

Data reported by companies on the production, import, export and destruction of fluorinated greenhouse gases in the European Union, 2007-2023

ETC CM report 2024/05: Fluorinated greenhouse gases 2024

This annual report of the European Environment Agency (EEA) provides a summary of the information reported on the production, import, export and destruction of fluorinated greenhouse gases (F-gases) in the European Union since 2007 as required by the EU F-gases Regulation 517/2014 (FGR) and previous

A foggy telescope: challenges for the role of German forests in climate policy

Presentation by Dr. Hannes Böttcher, LULUCF Workshop Umeå (online), 31.10.2024

Final report

Planning and regulating Europe’s gas networks: breaking up with fossil gas

The urgent need to meet climate targets requires a significant reduction in fossil gas demand over the coming years. This has substantial implications for gas grid infrastructure, yet current grid planning in most EU Member States does not adequately reflect the necessary decrease in fossil gas usa

Energy and transport vulnerability of households in the context of emissions trading: An analysis for 10 EU Member States

Energy and transport poverty and vulnerability are a central building block in the debate around many energy and climate policy issues and have gained firm hold in EU directives, regulations and documents. National governments need to establish indicators for both energy and transport poverty and vu

Discussion of the results of the 2040 Impact Assessment

This short paper contributes to the categorisation of the European Commission's recommendation on the 2040 target from February 2024 and calls for further transparency in the reporting of scenario results in relation to carbon management.

The key role of sufficiency for low demand-based carbon neutrality and energy security across Europe

A detailed assessment of a low energy demand, 1.5 ∘C compatible pathway is provided for Europe from a bottom-up, country scale modelling perspective. The level of detail enables a clear representation of the potential of sufficiency measures. Results show that by 2050, 50% final energy demand re