Sandbag is a non-profit climate change think tank that uses data analysis and targeted advocacy campaigns to improve EU climate policies
Our work focuses on EU policies such as the EU Emissions Trading System, carbon border adjustment mechanisms, and emissions reductions in industrial sectors. We believe in Europe’s ability to lead by example in climate aciton as well as to use its large market and stimulate technological competition as an incentive for others to follow. However we are also aware of the risk of Europe failing to meet its own commitments, which is why we want EU climate policies and regulations to be as effective and robust as possible.
Our Work
Carbon Pricing
Our research on the EU ETS and emission allowances, advocating for efficient carbon pricing mechanisms and concrete ways to drive emission reductions.
Industry
CBAM
Supporting a strong CBAM to phase out the allocation of free emission allowances, address carbon leakage, and accelerate global climate action.
Climate Financing
Our analysis of EU funding initiatives driving climate innovation and industrial decarbonisation. Ensuring revenues from the EU ETS and CBAM are well spent.
Data Tools
Our data visualisation and simulation tools, allowing EU policymakers to gain unique insights and implement informed climate policies.
Publications
The European Hydrogen Bank Confirms a Blind Support Approach
The Commission has recently published the Terms & Conditions (T&C) for the pilot auction of the European Hydrogen Bank (EHB) taking place on the 23rd of November 2023, in an attempt to meet...
Feedback on the Draft of the CBAM Implementing Regulation
We welcome the Commission's draft of the CBAM implementing regulation concerning the reporting obligations and provisional methodology for calculating embedded emissions in CBAM goods. However, we...
Supply and Demand in the EU ETS: Powering Through the Cap
The reform of the EU’s carbon market and the free allocation regulation is now voted on. The deal was wrapped in December 2022 and was barely different from what the Commission had proposed nearly...
Fixing the Innovation Fixation
Joint blog with Carbon Market Watch25 May 2023 Sandbag's feedback to the EC25 May 2023 The EU’s Innovation Fund, launched in 2018, is the EU’s programme for funding cutting-edge low-carbon...
Free Allocation Needs to Incentivise Circularity for the EU to Reach Net Zero
Open letter: Free allocation needs to incentivise circularity for the EU to reach net zero To: DG CLIMA - Mr Heiko Kunst Chair of the Expert Group on Climate Change Policy Dear Mr Kunst, We...
From Process to Product: A Fix to the Allocation of Free Emission Permits to Industry
On 18 April 2023, Sandbag presented to the European Commission’s Expert Group on Climate Change Policy a proposal for reforming the granting of free emission permits to industry under the bloc’s...
Key dates in the calendar
3 April 2024 – Publication of the verified emissions covered by the EU ETS in 2023
Early May 2024 – Publication of the 2023 EU ETS compliance data
16 May 2024 – Climate Change Policy Expert Group meeting (EU ETS formation)
13 June 2024 – Climate Change Policy Expert Group meeting (EU ETS formation)
By 30 June 2024 – Implementing Regulation laying down the detailed rules for calculating CORSIA-related offsetting under Article 12(7) of EU ETS Directive
June 2024 (TBC) – Public consultation & publication of draft Delegated Act on the inclusion of permanent CCU in the EU ETS
By 31 August 2024 – Implementing Regulation laying down the detailed rules for monitoring and reporting the non-CO2-effects of aviation (Article 14(5) of EU ETS Directive)
September 2024 – Climate Change Policy Expert Group meeting (EU ETS formation)
November 2024 – Climate Change Policy Expert Group meeting (EU ETS formation), vote in CCC on ETS
December 2024 – Climate Change Policy Expert Group meeting (EU ETS formation), envisaged adoption
By the end of 2024 – Adoption of a Delegated Act on a support mechanism for the use of eligible fuels, which will distribute emission allowances to cover the price difference to kerosene
By the end of 2024 – Delegated Act amending the ETS Monitoring & Reporting Regulation to include requirements for reporting the use of CORSIA eligible fuels and unit cancellation
2026 – Full auctioning of emission allowances to aviation
23 April 2024 – CBAM Expert Group meeting
1 July 2024 – CBAM rules on the verification of embedded emissions; maximum use of default values (when reporting embedded emissions) goes down from 100% to 20%
31 July 2024 – Deadline to finalise 2023 CBAM declarations
1 January 2026 – start of the definitive period, CBAM implementation
30 April 2024 – Results of the European Hydrogen Bank’s first auction
June 2024 (TBC) – Public consultation & publication of draft Delegated Act on the inclusion of permanent CCU in the EU ETS
15-17 April 2024 – Carbon Removals Expert Group meetings
By 30 June 2024 – Implementing Regulation laying down the detailed rules for calculating CORSIA-related offsetting under Article 12(7) of EU ETS Directive
By 31 August 2024 – Implementing Regulation laying down the detailed rules for monitoring and reporting the non-CO2-effects of aviation (Article 14(5) of EU ETS Directive)
By the end of 2024 – Adoption of a Delegated Act on a support mechanism for the use of eligible fuels, which will distribute emission allowances to cover the price difference to kerosene
By the end of 2024 – Delegated Act amending the ETS Monitoring & Reporting Regulation to include requirements for reporting the use of CORSIA eligible fuels and unit cancellation
March 2025 – First reporting by airlines of their fuel use (covering 2024)
2025 – Monitoring and reporting by aircraft operators of non-CO2 effects
2026 – European Commission to publish results on non-CO2 effects of air transport
2026 – Full auctioning of emission allowances to aviation
6-9 June 2024 – European Parliament elections
1 July 2024 – Hungary takes over the Presidency of the Council of the European Union
1 January 2025 – Poland takes over the Presidency of the Council of the European Union
1 July 2025 – Denmark takes over the Presidency of the Council of the European Union
1 January 2026 – Cyprus takes over the Presidency of the Council of the European Union
1 July 2026 – Ireland takes over the Presidency of the Council of the European Union
1 January 2027 – Lithuania takes over the Presidency of the Council of the European Union
1 July 2027 – Greece takes over the Presidency of the Council of the European Union
1 January 2028 – Italy takes over the Presidency of the Council of the European Union
1 July 2028 – Latvia takes over the Presidency of the Council of the European Union
1 January 2029 – Luxembourg takes over the Presidency of the Council of the European Union
1 July 2029 – Netherlands takes over the Presidency of the Council of the European Union
TESTIMONIALS
Sandbag is recognised as a top global climate think-tank
WHAT WE DO
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Mundo-b 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 transparency register no. 277895137794-73.
VAT: BE0707935890.