EU Emissions Research Articles

Does Speculation Matter in the Carbon Pricing Framework? Insights from the EU Emissions Trading System

Does Speculation Matter in the Carbon Pricing Framework? Insights from the EU Emissions Trading System

Can't see the carbon for the CO2? Regulating CCU value chains under and beyond climate law

AbstractTo realise the objectives of the European Green Deal (EGD), fossil carbon will have to be not only reduced but also replaced with recycled carbon. The European Commission considers industrial carbon management and carbon capture and utilisation (CCU) technologies to be part of the solution. A value chain ensues when carbon dioxide (CO2) is captured and utilised as raw material. Examination of the climate, energy and environmental legal landscape of one specific CCU value chain—comprising of waste, waste incineration and plastic raw material—reveals the varied approaches regulation has towards CO2 and carbon. In this article, both carbon cycle legislation and legislation on the carbon source and the material storing carbon are analysed. The legislation being developed directly for CCU for products (other than synthetic fuels) focusses on the carbon cycle and CO2 under the EU emissions trading system (ETS) and a proposed Carbon Removal Certification Framework. Regulatory uncertainty remains for the studied CCU value chain as the capture of CO2 from waste incineration has yet to be incentivised under the EU ETS. Further, the criteria for the permanence of carbon storage in products to qualify under the EU ETS and of the long‐term storage under the Carbon Removal Certification Framework (CRCF) have yet to be developed. For a more complete understanding, we have also analysed waste and product regulations. The conceptual structure of the EU Waste Framework Directive does not seem to support circulating carbon. This context also raises the fundamental question of whether the purpose of waste incineration could be carbon recycling instead of mere energy production. Regarding material storing carbon, plastics, the regulator has been silent as CCU‐originated plastic raw material is not recognised in EU plastics law. These issues must be identified and resolved one by one before the EGD can be secured; revisiting only climate law instruments does not suffice.

Assessing the influence of actual LNG emission factors within the EU emissions trading system

The shipping sector has been incorporated into the European Union Emissions Trading System (EU-ETS). Undoubtedly, the carbon emission factor is a critical consideration when determining carbon allowances in the EU-ETS, known as EU Allowances (EUAs). In this study, an all-performance carbon emission test was conducted on a marine LNG engine to investigate the differences between the actual carbon emission factor and the reference value. It was observed that the actual carbon emission factor is smaller than the reference value. The test results indicate a discrepancy of approximately 3%, resulting in potential savings of 10,000 to 20,000 dollars in EUAs for a ship consuming 2000 tonnes of LNG fuel annually. Furthermore, variations in the carbon emission factor were observed under different engine operational conditions, fluctuating by around 2% at constant revolutions per minute (RPM). This suggests the need for more suitable emission testing methods to accurately reflect actual emissions and better achieve emission control goals.

Green syntheses of novel luminescent lanthanide compounds based on pentafluorobenzoate

Green syntheses employing aqueous solutions of lanthanide chloride, NaOH, and pentafluorobenzoic acid were successfully developed and produced pure dinuclear α-Ln compounds, [Ln(L)3(H2O)4]2·2H2O (L: pentafluorobenzoate) and new ones: η-Ln, Na[Ln(L)3(H2O)4]·L·2H2O, and θ-Ln, with Ln: Eu(III), Gd(III), and Tb(III). The synthesis becomes even greener when mechanochemistry is employed because it is quantitative, solvent-free, fast (30 min), and energy efficient. The θ-Ln compounds still have unknown composition and structure, so its description and properties are not explored. The η-Ln compounds are 1-D coordination polymer with only one bridging L, which leads to a large Ln···Ln distance (6.865 Å). Heteronuclear α-Ln0.50Ln0.50′ and η-LnxLn1−x′ compounds, with x = 0.05, 0.25, 0.50, and 0.75, Ln, Ln′: Eu, Tb, and Gd, have been synthesized by mixing the proper proportion of the lanthanide chlorides in the initial solution. The η-EuxTb1−x materials present Tb(III) → Eu(III) energy transfer, which confers interesting luminescent and photophysical properties with relevant potential applications. The color of the emission under UV irradiation can be tuned by the composition of the η-EuxTb1−x materials as well as by the excitation wavelength. In addition, it was observed a significant increase (ca. 35–260 %) of the D05 Eu(III) emission lifetime in the η-EuxTb1−x compounds by varying the excitation wavelength.

Towards Sustainable Strategies: Uncovering the Impact of Environmental Policies on Innovation Activities of Czech Firms

In recent years, there has been an increased emphasis on sustainable development worldwide, which has prompted governments to adopt environmental policies aimed at mitigating the adverse environmental impacts of economic activities. Among these strategies, the implementation of environmental policies has emerged as a key tool for promoting sustainable development. However, although these policies are created with good intentions, their impact on firms' innovation activities remains a matter of debate and research. The aim of this paper is to examine the impact of environmental policies on the innovation activities of Czech firms, with a particular focus on how these policies shape firms' strategies towards sustainable development. Given the growing emphasis on sustainability and environmental issues, it is necessary to examine how environmental policies can influence firms' overall innovation activities. 412 firms of different sizes were surveyed. And EU emissions trading and energy consumption emerged as the most influential variables with a positive impact.

Carbon market design and market sentiment

Concerns about systematic price distortions in the EU Emission Trading System (ETS) have risen in recent years. This paper shows how carbon-market design affects the impact of market sentiment, i.e. systematic deviations of price expectations from fundamentals by at least some market participants, on equilibrium prices. The Market Stability Reserve (MSR) of the EU ETS that adjusts supply based on past allowance banking undermines self-stabilization of the carbon market by discouraging rational intertemporal arbitrage. The MSR increases vulnerability of the EU ETS to market sentiments. Initially, the allowance price responds more to distorted expectations while the MSR (partially) prevents the distortion to spread across periods. Making the MSR more responsive to banking decisions increases the likelihood that distorted expectations turn out to be correct ex post. In contrast, a mechanism that adjust the cap based on the current allowance price does not face a trade off between stabilizing prices in the present and the future.

Hydroxyl-driven construction of dual-emitting CsPbBr3/EuWO4(OH) composite for radiometric thermometer and information encryption applications

Self-assembled inorganic metal halide perovskite composites with high emitting efficiency, tunable multimode emission and stimuli-responsive luminescence demonstrated great potential in diversified luminescence applications. Here, a novel CsPbBr3/EuWO4(OH) composite was successfully prepared through the surface adsorption of Pb2+ ions on hydroxylated EuWO4(OH) microsheets and subsequent nucleation of CsPbBr3 peroviskite quantum dots (PQDs) by the anti-solvent crystallization in CsBr containing N,N-dimethylformamide (DMF) solution. Due to the distinct fluorescent thermochromic switching properties of temperature-insensitive Eu3+ and sensitive CsPbBr3 PQDs emitting centers, the resultant CsPbBr3/EuWO4(OH) composite exhibits excellent ratiometric temperature sensing performance. The CsPbBr3/EuWO4(OH) thermometer based on the fluorescence intensity ratio (FIR) technique originating from emissions of Eu3+ to CsPbBr3 PQDs was then explored with a high temperature sensitivity (Sr) of 5.8 % ℃−1 at 54 ℃. In addition, a high-security-level information encryption scheme was proposed by utilizing the excitation-wavelength-dependent switchable fluorescence of CsPbBr3/EuWO4(OH) composite. This study provides a simple and feasible strategy for assembling dual-emission CsPbBr3/EuWO4(OH) composite, showing potential applications in optical ratiometric thermometry and information encryption fields.

Investigation of red-emitting CaMoO4: Eu3+ phosphor by partitioning of substitutional PO4 3- ions via solid-state reaction method.

To investigate the impact of PO4 3- anionic groups, the trivalent europium ion-doped calcium molybdate (CaMoO3-PO4:xEu3+, where x = 0.5, 1.0, 1.5, 2.0, and 2.5mol%) phosphors were synthesized using the solid-state reaction method. The detailed study of the phosphor materials was carried out by X-ray diffraction (XRD), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), optical diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (DRS), and photoluminescence (PL) spectroscopy. The XRD results indicate that the substitution of PO4 3- anion and Eu3+ dopant ion did not affect the crystal structures of the CaMoO4 phosphors. Ultraviolet-visible (UV-vis) absorption analysis revealed the change of absorption edge of both un-doped and Eu3+-doped CaMoO4-PO4 phosphors. Under the 394 nm UV-excitation, the recorded PL spectra showed an intense peak at 615 nm corresponding to the Eu3+: 5D0 → 7F2 transition. The results of the Commission Internationale de l'Eclairage (CIE) diagram reported that the color of the emissions lies in the red color zone and there is no change in the CIE coordinates of the overall emission for Eu3+-doped CaMoO4-PO4 as Eu concentration changes. Thus, these observations led to finding the best red components for white light-emitting diode applications.

White afterglow achieved in Eu2+, Ce3+, Dy3+co-doped LiSr4(BO3)3 phosphor

In prior study by our team, orange-yellow afterglow was observed in Eu2+ and Dy3+ co-doped LiSr4(BO3 )3 phosphor due to the emission from Eu2+ center. In this study, further incorporation of Ce3+into the phosphor lead to the observation of white afterglow due to the mixed result of blue light from Ce3+ and orange-yellow light from Eu2+ centers. Upon ultraviolet excitation, the phosphor displays a spectrum characterized from blue emission of Ce3+ at 462nm and orange-yellow emission of Eu2+ at 632nm. Fine-tuning the concentration of Ce3+ enabled the realization of white luminescence in LiSr4(BO3)3: Eu2+, Ce3+ and Dy3+phosphor with chromaticity coordinates of (0.3979, 0.2939). The photoluminescence intensities of the samples could be modulated by incorporating varying amounts of Ce3+ ions, with a critical quenching concentration identified with 0.16 Ce3+. White afterglow is also observed after the removal of the light illumination due to the existence of suitable electron traps with optimal trap depth created by the co-doped Dy3+. The underlying mechanism proposes that the white afterglow is generated by the mixed lights of blue and orange-yellow that are created by the recombination of heat-released electrons from the trap centers with pre-existing holes in the Ce and Eu emission sites.

Does compensating firms for indirect carbon costs work? Evidence from Finnish manufacturing

The EU ETS indirect cost compensation subsidy was given out in the 2010s to compensate firms for increased electricity costs caused by the EU Emission Trading System, with the aim to support the competitiveness of producers in the EU. This paper studies the effects of the compensation subsidy on firm performance empirically with production plant level data from Finland. There is no clear evidence that the electricity costs have in fact been higher during the subsidy period, and the way that the subsidy was designed was not efficient. Perhaps for these reasons, the results find no indication of improved firm performance for the subsidy recipients.

EU Emissions Trading for Transport and Buildings: Saved by Synergistic Institutional Interaction?

EU Emissions Trading for Transport and Buildings: Saved by Synergistic Institutional Interaction?

Achieving the Anomalous Far‐Red Emission of Eu3+ by Tailoring Distorted Square Antiprism Symmetry in Potassium‐Bismuth‐Phosphates

Achieving the Anomalous Far‐Red Emission of Eu³⁺ by Tailoring Distorted Square Antiprism Symmetry in Potassium‐Bismuth‐Phosphates

Carbon Leakage Concept after Carbon Pricing & Green Deal Policies

As part of the European Green Deal, EU nations are required to decrease their carbon emissions by 55% by 2030 and reach carbon neutrality by 2050. The EU's emissions trading system is the cornerstone of this goal. In theory, rising carbon prices may cause carbon leakage, or the transfer of economic activity and related emissions from high-carbon economies to low-carbon economies. Losing market share to rivals in international rivalry might result in short-term international carbon leakage. In the long term, it can be accomplished by moving domestic businesses abroad. To date, a variety of tools, including offsets and free allowances granted under the ETS, have been used to support the carbon leakage risk of high-risk industries. This paper develops an international technique, the EU Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS) Phase IV consultation, to produce a sector-level risk assessment of carbon leakage in Türkiye. This methodology combines emissions intensity and trading intensity, two important indicators for assessing carbon leakage risk. Although the former is commonly employed as a measure of a company's exposure to carbon costs, the latter indicates its ability to pass on costs to customers without losing market share. According to the carbon risk study carried out in Türkiye for the aluminium, cement, paper, fertilizer, iron-steel, and ceramics sectors, cement has the highest risk, while paper carries the lowest risk

Has the EU Emissions Trading System Worked Properly?

Has the EU Emissions Trading System Worked Properly?

Facilitating a Sustainable Aviation Fuel Transition in Italy

Civil aviation significantly contributes to “hard-to-abate” emissions, responsible for 2% of global CO2 emissions. This paper examines the most effective policies to promote Sustainable Aviation Fuels (SAFs) in Italy, using a multi-level policy analysis and a stakeholder-based case study approach. The policies reviewed comprise the international, European, and national level. The paper analyses at the international level, ICAO CORSIA and, at the European level, the Renewable Energy Directive (RED), ReFuel EU, and the EU Emissions Trading System (EU ETS) for aviation. Italy has not yet implemented specific policies targeting SAF transition, which is challenging due to commercialization issues and policy inconsistencies. These include the price gap between SAF and conventional fuels, different definitions adopted, and environmental objectives pursued with respect to sustainable fuels by ICAO and the EU. Other challenges include double-counting risks and fuel tankering practices. This article contributes to Italy’s SAF policymaking by developing a stakeholder-based quantitative survey, whose results suggest that three measures are key: tax subsidies for technology and infrastructure users, tax credits for upgrading production infrastructure, and tax breaks for SAF-using companies, fuel handlers, and distributors.

First Principles Study of Europium doped Gallium Nitride in Wurzite Structure

In the present work, we have successfully deposited Sb antimony doped tin dioxide (SnO2) thin films with Several advantages over well known LCD's including increased brightness and viewing angle. We are currently investigating Eu doped GaN as a potential red phosphor for TEFL display applications. Eu doped GaN films were grown by solid source molecular beam epitaxy on Si (111) substates. The material was optically characterized through temperature dependent emission spectroscopy using a He-Cd laser at 325 nm for above band gap excitation. A strong red emission was obtained at 622 nm, which corresponds to an Eu3+ inner 4f-shell transition from the 5D 0 to 7F2 state. Therefore, the observed thermal quenching of red Eu emission is assigned to a strongly temperature dependent pumping process.

EU emissions trading in the buildings sector – an ex-ante assessment

ABSTRACT The EU ETS is one of the first emissions trading schemes in the world and has contributed to the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions in the sectors covered by the scheme in recent years. The EU has adopted the introduction of a new, separate emissions trading scheme (ETS 2) for the buildings and transport sectors as well additional sectors. In our paper we estimate the impact of the new ETS 2 on the buildings sector. We calculate the greenhouse gas emission reduction in the year 2030 using an approach based on price elasticities. We further discuss the impact of the ETS 2 on cost-effectiveness of heat pump deployment in the EU Member States to outline an example of longer-term effects on investments. The results show that with a carbon price of 45 Euro per ton the impact ranges between three and seven Million tons of greenhouse gas emission reductions. Even with optimistic assumptions on the reaction of building owners, the overall contribution of the ETS 2 to meeting the EU target for reducing greenhouse gas emissions in the year 2030 is limited. The results furthermore show that the carbon price needed to make heat pumps competitive in the use phase differs largely between the Member States, where in three Member States the required level exceeds 100€/t CO2eq. We conclude that in addition to carbon pricing under the ETS 2, a strong policy framework is needed for the transition of the buildings sector. Key policy insights The new carbon pricing scheme in ETS 2 contributes to the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions in buildings in the EU, however its impact on the EU energy and climate targets for the year 2030 is limited. Carbon pricing supports the diffusion of heat pumps, however a price of 45 €/t is insufficient to make heat pumps competitive even in the operation phase in several countries. Due to the low price elasticities and the long investment cycles in the buildings sector, a strong policy mix is needed in addition to carbon pricing.

Leadership in EU policy-making: a deep dive into the extension of the EU emissions trading system

ABSTRACT This article offers insights into how leadership can be provided to advance the EU policy-making process through a case study of the policy-making for the new EU emissions trading system for buildings, road transport and additional sectors (ETS-2). Conceptually, it contributes to the literature on leadership in the EU by developing a three-part framework for observing leadership in EU policy-making, focussing on the intentions of an actor, the effects of the actions of an actor and the perceptions of other actors. The article also contributes to the literature on interactions between leaders in EU policy-making. Empirically, we provide a process tracing analysis of leadership in the policy-making process for the ETS-2. Using our framework, we examine five key leadership moments, showing how Denmark provided cognitive leadership, Germany provided exemplary and structural leadership, and the Commission and rotating Presidencies provided cognitive and entrepreneurial leadership. Our empirical analysis shows that various types of leadership were partially simultaneously and partially consecutively provided, with some leaders following up on the leadership strategies of others. We term this dynamic ‘sequential leadership’. Our finding confirms the importance of seeing leadership as a relationship, not just between leaders and followers, but also amongst leaders.

Broadband sensitized near-infrared emission in Eu2+-Nd3+ co-doped BaAl2O4 as a potential spectral modulator for silicon solar cells.

The near-infrared (NIR) down-conversion process for broadband sensitization has been studied in Eu2+-Nd3+ co-doped BaAl2O4. This material has a broad absorption band of 200-480 nm and can convert photons in the visible region into NIR photons. The NIR emission at 1064 nm, attributed to the Nd3+:4F3/2 → 4I11/2 transition, matches the bandgap of Si, allowing Si solar cells to utilize the solar spectrum better. The energy transfer (ET) process between Eu2+ and Nd3+ was demonstrated using photoluminescence spectra and luminescence decay curves, and Eu2+ may transfer energy to Nd3+ through the cooperative energy transfer (CET) to achieve the down-conversion process. The energy transfer efficiency (ETE) and theoretical quantum efficiency (QE) were 68.61% and 156.34%, respectively, when 4mol% Nd3+ was introduced. The results indicate that BaAl2O4:Eu2+-Nd3+ can serve as a potential modulator of the solar spectrum and is expected to be applied to Si solar cells.

Regulatory compliance and operational efficiency in maritime transport: Strategies and insights

In recent years, with increasing maritime trade, the shipping industry has faced the challenge of mitigating escalating greenhouse gas emissions. This study investigates the cost mitigation strategies of shipping companies in response to three key regulations: the Carbon Intensity Indicator, the EU Emissions Trading System, and the FuelEU Maritime regulation. By proposing optimal speeds for container ships on the Asia–Europe route and examining the potential for carbon leakage, the study aims to predict strategies of shipping companies and derive insights for achieving sustainable regulatory compliance. The results provide a comprehensive analysis of the regulations' impact on operational costs and emissions, with the robustness of the findings confirmed through extensive sensitivity analyses. The discussion highlights the unintended consequences of current regulations that may deviate from the ultimate objectives of reducing GHG emissions and achieving sustainable maritime transport. Ultimately, the study seeks to support the development of effective maritime regulations that align with the operational strategies of shipping companies, emphasizing the need for a holistic approach to achieve the intended outcomes of environmental policies.