New Principles for Steel Labelling: response to the consultation on the Industrial Decarbonisation Accelerator Act

Sandbag’s response to the EU’s Industrial Decarbonisation Accelerator Act sets out four principles to guide green steel labelling schemes, promoting credible standards based on lifecycle emissions and system-wide decarbonisation.

Simulating CDR in the EU ETS: The Risks of Premature Integration

The EU’s 2040 climate targets suggest integrating carbon removals into the ETS — but at what cost? This report uses Sandbag’s simulator to assess whether the risks of premature CDR integration outweigh the benefits.

The EU ETS at a Crossroads

Sandbag’s latest submission to the EU ETS and Innovation Fund consultation calls for clearer rules on free allocation, stronger criteria for funding innovation, and safeguards against misleading carbon accounting practices.

Getting Electrification Right: The broader challenge of induced emissions

Sandbag’s latest report explores how the climate impact of electricity use depends not just on how it’s generated, but also when and where it’s consumed. Using hydrogen as a case study, the report shows how poorly timed renewable electricity use can unintentionally drive-up fossil fuel emissions — and outlines smarter paths to decarbonisation.

Open letter against international credits integration into the EU 2040 climate target and NDC

A joint NGO letter calls on the EU to exclude international carbon credits from the 2040 target. The signatories urge a domestic-only approach to protect climate credibility and ambition.

Steel emissions standards under threat from flawed “mass balance” proposal

A joint letter from 30+ NGOs warns that coal-based steel could be falsely labelled as green under proposed “mass balance” rules. The signatories call for traceable, credible emissions data in steel standards.

We’re a non-profit climate change think tank which uses data analysis to build evidence-based campaigns on climate policy

We focus on EU policies such as the EU Emissions Trading Scheme, carbon border adjustment mechanisms and emissions reductions in industrial sectors. We believe in Europe’s ability to lead climate action by example and use its large market and ability to stimulate technological competition as an incentive for others to follow. But we’re also aware of the risk that Europe might fail to deliver on its own pledges, which is why we want to get EU climate policy right.

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Publications

Aluminium production and CCS/U: A reality check

Aluminium production and CCS/U: A reality check

Aluminium production remains challenging to decarbonise. This brief examines the limited potential of Carbon Capture and Utilisation (CCS/U) in the sector and explores alternative approaches that may offer more effective emissions reductions.

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Towards a minimum recycled steel content in passenger cars: setting an initial target

Towards a minimum recycled steel content in passenger cars: setting an initial target

The EU has around 286 million motor vehicles, and every year, 6.5 million of these are scrapped. If the steel scrap from these end-of-life vehicles (ELVs) is not managed well, valuable resources are lost, harming the environment. With the EU preparing its ELV Regulation, which could set targets for minimum recycled steel content for passenger cars : what should those targets be?

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In or Out: What’s best for carbon removals and the EU ETS?

In or Out: What’s best for carbon removals and the EU ETS?

What will the future of the EU Emissions Trading System (ETS) look like as the emissions cap heads towards zero? Is integrating carbon dioxide removals (CDRs) into the ETS a solution to help the EU achieve its climate goals? Or would they compromise the integrity and functioning of the system? These questions are at the forefront of the Commission’s mind as they review different options for the future of the ETS ahead of the 2026 revision.

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TESTIMONIALS

Sandbag is recognised as a top global climate think-tank

An inspirational idea that promises to make a real and positive difference… and a wonderful opportunity to help sort out the climate mess we’ve all created. Prof. Chris Turney is the author of Ice, Mud and Blood: Lessons from Climates Past
Chris Turney

Professor, University of Exeter

Sandbag is playing a crucial role in making sure that Europe’s cornerstone climate policy actually does its job.
Caroline Lucas

United Kingdom MP

Sandbag… strikes a balance between underlining the merits of the EU ETS and criticising the weaknesses.
Connie Hedegaard

Former European Commissioner

Mundo Matogné. Rue d’Edimbourg 26, Ixelles 1050 Belgium. Sandbag is a not-for-profit (ASBL) organisation registered in Belgium under the number 0707.935.890. EU transparancy register no. 277895137794-73. VAT: BE0707935890

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