EU climate laws advance

Rules governing how emissions will be cut in line with Paris Agreement goals have passed a key legislative hurdle

Significant parts of the EU’s ‘Fit for 55’ package—a set of measures to ensure the bloc reduces emissions by 55pc below 1990 levels by 2030—passed a major legislative hurdle yesterday. MEPs in the Committee on Environment, Public Health and Food Safety adopted proposals in four key areas—emissions trading system (ETS) reform, an earlier phase-in of a carbon border adjustment mechanism (CBAM), stricter targets for emissions not included in the EU ETS, and a new goal for EU carbon sinks. ETS ambition On the ETS, MEPs voted for an extension of the scheme to include maritime transport; a phasing-out of the free allowance regime for industry; the establishment of a new ETS for fuel distribution f