Publications

Press release – Carbon pricing beyond 2020: Europe must recalibrate its Emissions Trading Scheme

1 December 2015 - Foreword of the week

Entitled “Exploring the EU ETS Beyond 2020: A first assessment of the EU Commission’s proposal for Phase IV of the EU ETS (2021-2030)”, the report, produced jointly by I4CE – Institute for Climate Economics and Enerdata, and in collaboration with IFPen, provides new, factual, independent and quantified analysis on EU ETS operationality by 2030, to examine the necessary conditions to improve its environmental and economic effectiveness.

Launched in September 2014, the research program on the COordination of EU Policies on Energy and CO2 (COPEC) with the EU ETS by 2030, aims to prepare economic policymakers for the debate on the revision of the European Emissions Trading Scheme (EU ETS) in the framework of the 2030 Climate and Energy Package.

Over five chapters, the COPEC report analyses five major challenges to the successful implementation of Phase IV of the EU ETS:

    • Defining a CO2 reduction target in line with energy policies such as Renewables and Energy Efficiency,
    • Implementing the Market Stability Reserve,
    • Addressing carbon leakage risk through free allocation,
    • Extending the EU ETS scope to include emissions from the road transport sector,
    • Financing the low-carbon transition through various funding mechanisms based on auction revenues.

Download the Executive Summary

Download the Full Report

About the COPEC research program

Our events dedicated to the COPEC report

November 2015 – Conference in Washington, US

December 2015 – Side-event, COP 21

To learn more
  • 02/19/2026 Blog post
    Food sovereignty relies on ecological planning

    The upcoming food sovereignty conferences are likely to shape debates on the future of French agriculture in 2026. The main responses provided over the past two years can be summarised as follows: remove production constraints to produce more of everything (both animal and plant products), to recover market shares in France and abroad. Seeking to produce more of everything without considering adaptation or transition is a form of denial, at a time when climate change is hitting farmers hard and regularly, and when our dependence on imported fertilisers and oilseed meals undermines our sovereignty. The conferences must take these considerations into account — otherwise, they will serve only to perpetuate the notion of an illusory sovereignty. 

  • 02/19/2026
    Which production assets for more resilient and sustainable agricultural and food sectors? Which investment needs? Which stranded assets?

    Les choix d’investissements des secteurs agricoles et alimentaires des années à venir sont déterminants. Pour pérenniser leurs productions et faire face aux crises, les secteurs agricoles et alimentaires français doivent évoluer vers des systèmes plus résilients et durables. L’enjeu est d’autant plus crucial que différentes vagues d’investissements sont en cours ou à venir dans ces secteurs. Dans cette étude, I4CE a estimé qu’environ 100 milliards d’euros d’outils de production agricoles et alimentaires sont affectés par la transition. Une coordination et une planification des investissements semblent incontournables, notamment pour en limiter les coûts.

  • 01/23/2026 Foreword of the week
    Financing carbon farming practices: lessons learnt in France can reinforce the EU level initiatives

    In a challenging economic and political context, especially for the agriculture sector, some incentive schemes can still help bring stakeholders together in climate transition and resilience initiatives. This is the case with carbon certification schemes, which both ensure the credibility of the climate impact of the actions implemented and provide remuneration for farmers and foresters for changes in practices. Some of these measures, such as replacing mineral fertilisers (mostly imported) with organic fertilisers, also help to meet the sector’s needs for resilience and strategic independence, which are crucial in the current context.

See all publications
Press contact Amélie FRITZ Head of Communication and press relations Email
Subscribe to our mailing list :
I register !
Subscribe to our newsletter
Once a week, receive all the information on climate economics
I register !
Fermer