Commission adjusts market reserve rules to support a smoother start to the new carbon market for buildings and vehicles
Today, the Commission adopted a proposal to amend the Market Stability Reserve (MSR) Decision as regards the reserve for the new emissions trading system for road transport and buildings (ETS 2). This is a key step to deliver swiftly on the package of measures announced to ensure a gradual and smooth launch of the ETS2, on top of the strong safeguards already in place, and also to help accelerate early investments. The MSR is a long-term solution to the surplus of allowances on the EU carbon market aiming at rebalancing supply and demand as well as at making the carbon market more resilient to future shocks.
This proposal responds to the concerns raised by Member States and Members of the European Parliament on future carbon price levels and volatility in the new ETS2 carbon market. It introduces targeted adjustments to the MSR that would guarantee stronger intervention if the price should go above a certain level, reinforce the capacity of the MSR to operate in the longer term, and ensure earlier and smoother action to stabilise the supply of ETS2 allowances.
Commissioner for Climate, Net-Zero and Clean Growth, Wopke Hoekstra, who outlined the set of proposals in past Environment Councils, said: “Today, we are delivering on the commitments we announced in October. These measures further strengthen stability and affordability within ETS2 and set us on a more predictable path toward a low-carbon future. We are setting the right conditions to keep prices in check and intervene swiftly if they go too high.”
The proposed measure can be implemented without amending the ETS Directive. Following todays adoption, EU Member States and the European Parliament will need to agree on it before it can enter into force.
In addition, the Commission will keep working to rapidly deliver as well on the other measures on the ETS2 implementation framework. Regarding the start of the system, colegislators have introduced a postponement of ETS2 by 1 year as part of the 2040 Climate target negotiations, which now has to agreed and adopted before its application.
You can find more information on the amended market reserve rules online.
(For more information: Anna-Kaisa Itkonen – Tel.: +32 2 295 75 01; Ana Crespo Parrondo - Tel.: +32 2 298 13 25)
Commission launches Skills Guarantee to support workers in transition learning new skills for strategic sectors
Today, the European Commission has launched a new scheme – the Skills Guarantee – to support workers and businesses and tackle labour shortages in strategic and growing sectors. A flagship initiative under the Union of Skills, the Skills Guarantee will reinforce strategic sectors in line with the future European Competitiveness Fund. Ιt will enable workers to transition into strategic industries, secure new jobs, and develop additional skills.
As a first step, today the Commission has launched a Skills Guarantee Pilot – with a budget of €14.5 million. It will focus on workers from the automotive industry and its supply chain, who are at risk of unemployment. This pilot will test how to accelerate and improve the transition of workers from these strategic sectors to jobs in companies in growing or emerging strategic sectors, providing targeted upskilling and reskilling programmes. The pilot will support workers with on-the-job training and support to learn new skills, while companies in sectors with increased demand will be able to recruit the talent they need more quickly, helping them be competitive.
More information is available in the press release.
(For more information: Eva Hrncirova - Tel.: +32 2 29 88433; Eirini Zarkadoula-Tel.: +32 2 29 57065)
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Commissioner Brunner in Malta for MED5 Ministerial Conference and to visit the EU Asylum Agency
Tomorrow and Saturday, Commissioner for Internal Affairs and Migration, Magnus Brunner, will be in Malta to participate in the MED5 Ministerial Conference, together with the ministers from the five Mediterranean Member States: Cyprus, Greece, Italy, Malta, and Spain. Commissioner Brunner and the ministers will focus on common migration priorities, including the implementation of the Pact on Migration and Asylum, returns, and initiatives to strengthen the EUs comprehensive approach to migration towards third countries.
During his visit in Malta, Commissioner Brunner will meet the Maltese Prime Minister, Robert Abela, and Minister for Home Affairs, Security and Employment, Byron Camilleri, to exchange views on key issues of common interest. Commissioner Brunner will also visit the European Union Agency for Asylum (EUAA) headquarters. He will meet its Executive Director, to exchange views on the work of the Agency, as well as discuss the support to the Member States in implementing the new asylum and migration rules.
(For more information: Markus Lammert — Tel.: +32 2 296 75 33; Cristina Dumitrescu - Tel.: +32 2 296 60 91; Elettra Di Massa - Tel.: +32 2 298 21 61)
Tentative agendas for forthcoming Commission meetings
Note that these items can be subject to changes.
Upcoming events of the European Commission
Eurostat press releases
