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
  • 03/06/2026 Foreword of the week
    Stay the course: why a stronger ETS is the key to industrial competitiveness 

    Since 2005, the EU Emissions Trading System (EU ETS) has been a cornerstone of Europe’s climate policy. With the price per tonne of CO2 now beginning to stabilise at between €60 and €80, and the gradual reduction in free allowances, 2026’s review of the system should be an opportunity to reflect on and upgrade its performance as the EU continues towards climate neutrality.  

  • 03/03/2026 Blog post Op-ed
    To strengthen European industry, let’s strengthen the ETS

    Several voices are now being heard in Europe, coming from Member States – including that of Chancellor Merz – and from industry, calling for the rules of the CO2 quota system to be weakened. For Benoît LEGUET and Jean PISANI-FERRY, this would be a mistake for Europe. And for France. On the contrary, we must strengthen this unique public policy in order to develop our industry. 

  • 02/27/2026 Foreword of the week
    Risk levels and priorities: financing climate adaptation requires clear decisions

    As the European Commission prepares an integrated framework on climate resilience and risk management for the EU, the public consultation has just wrapped up – an important step towards the publication of the proposals for the framework later this year. One of the main areas of focus will be the issue of financing adaptation, with the first key challenge being to mainstream the concept of resilience by design into all European funding currently under discussion, including structural policies such as the Common Agricultural Policy and the Connecting Europe Facility.

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Press contact Amélie FRITZ Head of Communication and press relations Email
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