The Council has adopted five key pieces of legislation as part of its 'Fit for 55' package

The Council adopted the following key pieces of legislation, under the 'Fit for 55' package, on 25 April 2023:

• Revision of the ETS Directive,
• Amendment of the MRV shipping Regulation,
• Revision of the ETS Aviation Directive,
• Regulation establishing a Social Climate Fund,
• Regulation establishing a Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism.

The adopted rules increase the overall ambition of emissions reductions by 2030 in the sectors covered by the EU ETS to 62% compared to 2005 levels.

Emissions from maritime transport (shipping) will be included within the scope of the EU ETS. Obligations for shipping companies to surrender allowances will be introduced gradually: 40% for verified emissions from 2024, 70% from 2025 and 100% from 2026.

Free emission allowances for the aviation sector will be gradually phased out and full auctioning from 2026 will be implemented.

A new, separate emissions trading system (ETS2) for buildings, road transport and additional sectors (mainly small industry) is established. A “social climate fund” will support vulnerable households, micro-enterprises and transport users impacted by the new ETS2.

These texts will enter into force on the twentieth day following their publication in the EU’s Official Journal, following their signature by the Council and the European Parliament.

For more information:

The Council of the EU press release: https://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/press/press-releases/2023/04/25/fit-for-55-council-adopts-key-pieces-of-legislation-delivering-on-2030-climate-targets/