On 14 October, Sandbag’s Adrien Assous moderated a panel at Carbon Forward Expo London 2026: “Is the EU ETS delivering on its objectives? Will the proposed reforms help or hinder progress?”
Panelists discussed to what extent the proposed reforms will affect progress, with a fruitful discussion among panelists on aviation, carbon credits, the cap, and the Market Stability Reserve.
A key point of discussion was extending the EU ETS to flights landing outside the EU.
IAG argued that foreign airlines can more easily absorb EU carbon costs than EU airlines, because the EU is a comparatively smaller share of their network. Adrien challenged this argument, since these costs are ultimately paid by customers.
Adrien also asked the panelists:
- Are other sectors concerned by the increasing weight and uncertainty posed by aviation on the EU ETS?
- Would Article 6 credits purchased at the price of EU allowances be a good deal for Europe?
Many thanks to the organisers for hosting a thoughtful and engaging discussion on the future of the EU ETS.
Related publications
September 23, 2026
More on the EU ETS
Webinar: Options for the EU ETS
We presented Sandbag’s analysis of different design options for the EU ETS, and discussed proposals to mitigate potential negative impacts.
EU ETS amendments: what matters
Our position paper analyses the proposals by the Commission and EU ETS rapporteur MEP Peter Liese and presents Sandbag’s proposals.
Putting a seat belt on allowance use: how aviation could do its part
This brief proposes that access by airlines to emission allowances from other sectors should gradually be reduced.
EU ETS review: impacts on the market balance
In this brief, we analyse how the proposed changes will impact the supply and demand balance of the emission allowance market.
Sandbag responds to Thyssenkrupp
Our technical brief on how the ETS is a net benefit for European steelmakers was covered by ESG.Table, alongside a response from Thyssenkrupp Steel, which raised three objections. This response analyses the German steelmaker’s claims.
EU steelmaking: the ETS money is coming!
This brief challenges recent industry claims that EU steelmakers are being harmed by the EU’s Emissions Trading System and finds that the opposite is true.
EU ETS Reform: Let’s not invalidate climate policy!
Based on our updated EU ETS simulator, this technical brief models the impact of the several proposals on the carbon market’s supply/demand balance under the European Commission’s impact assessment emission scenarios.
Improving EU ETS benchmarks: Response to the European Commission’s public consultation on EU ETS benchmarks
Sandbag’s response to the public consultation on the European Commission’s proposed revision of the benchmark values of free allocation of emission allowances (2026-2030).
Rhetoric vs reality: setting the record straight on the impact of the EU ETS on industrial competitiveness
This brief examines whether the claims by Czechia and Italy that the EU ETS is responsible for declining industrial competitiveness hold up to scrutiny.
Don’t Ruin the EU ETS! Joint NGO Letter to the European Council
Ahead of the March European Council meeting, we’ve joined a group of 35 civil society organisations calling on EU leaders to protect the integrity of the EU Emissions Trading System.