CO2 shrugs off the Covid-19 slump
Future policy assumptions support the EU ETS after initial hit
European energy markets have been thrown into turmoil by the coronavirus pandemic, with prices for some commodities falling by more than 50pc as demand has plummeted during the enforced lockdown. A combination of housebound workers and a slowdown in commercial and industrial activity has also tipped countries into recession, blighting the economic outlook for the coming months and even years. But European carbon allowance markets are remaining robust, reflecting growing confidence that a long-term economic recovery will focus on low-carbon and sustainable policies. The sudden and sharp decline in economic activity since March did, admittedly, feed through to Europe’s emissions trading system
Also in this section
9 January 2026
A shift in perspective is needed on the carbon challenge, the success of which will determine the speed and extent of emissions cuts and how industries adapt to the new environment
2 January 2026
This year may be a defining one for carbon capture, utilisation and storage in the US, despite the institutional uncertainty
23 December 2025
Legislative reform in Germany sets the stage for commercial carbon capture and transport at a national level, while the UK has already seen financial close on major CCS clusters
15 December 2025
Net zero is not the problem for the UK’s power system. The real issue is with an outdated market design in desperate need of modernisation






