Increasing CO2 intensity: Data from the Cement Sustainability Initiative shows that the carbon intensity of EU cement increased from 2008 to 2014. No carbon leakage: Since 2011, the EU cement sector has vastly increased exports of cement clinker outside the EU,...
Category: Industry
Weak global agreement on aviation means EU must act
Today, the first ever global agreement on aviation and climate change was decided upon in Montreal. The impressive achievement in forging an agreement between 191 nations should not overshadow the fact that aviation emissions remain effectively uncapped. Today’s...
Cut the flab: Cement sector’s free lunch is costing other companies
Sandbag’s recent report on the cement sector highlighted several key flaws in Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS) rules around free allocation of allowances. These rules give rise to perverse incentives to pollute: we estimate the ETS has increased cement sector emissions,...
Cement – The Final Carbon Fatcat
Sandbag’s new report reveals European climate laws are increasing emissions in the cement sector, whilst multinational cement companies reap huge financial windfalls. The cement sector must be the final Carbon Fatcat; real reform to the Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS)...
Carbon costs for the Steel Sector are not as high as feared
A recent report by the consultancy Ecofys for the European steel association Eurofer suggests steel companies face costs of €28/tonne of steel to comply with ETS obligations by 2030. However, at Sandbag we are sceptical that the proposed revision to the Emissions...
Aviation in the Emissions Trading Scheme: The impact of the 2012 ‘Stop the Clock’
The EU Emissions Trading Scheme (EU ETS) initially covered CO2 emissions from all flights to and from EU airports. However, in 2012, facing significant opposition and threats of a trade war, the EU revised the scheme to include only intra-EU flights, a move known as “Stop the Clock.” What is the cost of this scheme? How can it effectively reduce aviation emissions in the future?
Ryanair overcharges passengers on the back of green levy
In 2012 Ryanair made an estimated €8 million windfall from overcharging its passengers for the costs of the EU emissions trading scheme (ETS), reveals Sandbag Climate Campaign in a new report on aviation's controversial first year in the EU carbon market. In 2012...
European industry is crying crocodile tears over the reduction in free allowances
A new decision on the free carbon allowances awarded to manufacturers under the EU Emissions Trading Scheme has been met with hostility by industry, but according to our research these complaints are disingenuous. Sandbag's Damien Morris comments “While industry will...