Pressure to reduce consumption, increase renewables and make industry more efficient. These and other factors have made 2023 the most successful year yet since the introduction of the European Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS). "Figures reported by EU Member States as of 2 April 2024 show a 15.5% drop in emissions in 2023 compared to 2022. With this development, ETS emissions are now around 47 per cent below 2005 levels and well on track to meet the 2030 target of 62% ," the European Commission report explains.
The most important point is the growth of renewable energy sources, especially in the still relatively consumer-intensive industries. Many companies have switched to wind and solar instead of coal and gas. As a result, emissions from manufacturing alone have fallen by 24% compared to 2022.
The situation has been helped in part by better weather conditions, which have brought back into operation both large hydropower plants and suspended nuclear plants, for example in France. One of the reasons why, despite such a significant drop in industrial emissions, the overall decline is "only" and still a record 15%, is the large increase in aviation emissions due to the fact that private jet aviation grew by 64%, accounting for a large share of emissions.
The Politco server adds that this year, shipping was included in the Emissions Trading Scheme for the first time and it is expected that a similarly steep decline will not take place again. Firstly, precisely because of the added emissions from shipping and then because the energy crisis had a big impact on last year and people actually saved money. However, many industrial enterprises are gradually starting up again, resources are not so expensive and gas is again considered a stable and relatively cheap resource.
The 15.5% overall reduction in ETS emissions is therefore undoubtedly good news, but it is important not to rest on our laurels. European businesses are facing high interest rates, increased energy costs, inflation and falling demand. Therefore, the good results are not necessarily just a reflection of the continued increase in awareness and the development of renewable energy sources.
Source: https://www.obnovitelne.cz/
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