Implementing the Paris Agreement on Climate Change (Communication)

The EU has set out in a Communication how the European Union will implement the global climate change agreement concluded in Paris. In cep's view, the Paris Agreement is a necessary step towards effective climate protection. The Commission's assertion that the provisions on carbon leakage are "balanced" is, however, incorrect.

cepPolicyBrief

The pricing of carbon emissions, including those in third countries, called for by the Commission, creates incentives to emit less CO2. It only gives rise to a level playing field for greenhouse gas reduction, however, where the price level for CO2 is the same in all countries. This ultimately requires a global trading scheme for emissions rights. The proposed amendment to EU law, whereby energy efficiency is to be given "priority", is rejected by cep's experts because not all energy consumption is equally harmful to the environment.