EU Emissions Research Articles

The role of the Emission Trading Scheme in the decarbonization of existing district heating systems

ABSTRACT The FitFor55 legislative package sets ambitious targets to make Europe the first climate-neutral continent by 2050. Within it, the EU Emission Trading Scheme is mandatory for energy operators with an installed capacity higher than 20 MW, calculated by considering units with a rated thermal input under 3 MW. The paper highlights the impact of the Emission Trading Scheme on the investment choices made by district heating systems operators, considering both current regulations and the potential extension of the Emission Trading Scheme to encompass lower energy capacities. The analysis concerns the simulation of four revamping scenarios (two fueled by natural gas and two partially by renewables) within an existing district heating system located in Italy. The economic analysis shows that an extension of the Emission Trading Scheme alone is not effective in hindering scenarios based on natural gas production. A reform of the power exchange market is necessary to drive decarbonization and encourage investment in renewable generation plants.

Wind propulsion of ships to decarbonize maritime transport

The International Maritime Organization and the European Commission are demanding increasingly significant decarbonization efforts from shipowners, and maritime freight should be integrated into the EU emissions trading system. Several technologies exist for sail propulsion: the Flettner rottor, rigid panels made of composite materials, sails and in particular the kite, innovative in this field. Studies show that 3700 to 10700 ships could be equipped with sail propulsion systems by 2030. The release of 3.5 to 7.5 million tonnes of CO2 could thus be avoided in 2030. In this article, the fundamentals of the ship propulsion by the wind are presented: a credible, efficient technological proposition available today to ensure the sustainability of transport.

Modified sectoral average greenhouse gas intensity for more accurate carbon risk analysis

Thanks to the existing data gaps, Monitoring climate-related financial risks is no easy task. Greenhouse gases play an important role in climate change; therefore, examining economic activities’ emissions can be a suitable way to analyse climate risks. However, relying only on activities’ average greenhouse gas emissions can be misleading, as substantial emitters can greatly divert the average values upwards. Modifying these sectoral average emissions by subtracting substantial emitters’ data results in a clearer picture of climate risk analysis. The modified sectoral average method, which primarily relies on data from the emission trading systems, treats companies under the EU Emissions Trading System (ETS) regulation separately. With this treatment, sectors with high emission values can experience a significant drop in sectoral average emission intensity compared to companies under ETS regulation. To use an already available but not applied data cluster is an affordable, easy-to-implement way to increase the accuracy of climate risk indicators. Results in Hungary show that implementing this information reduces sectoral average intensity for companies not under ETS regulation.

A coordination failure between EU climate policies exemplified by the North Sea energy island

ABSTRACT We highlight a coordination problem between the EU Emissions Trading System (ETS) and the EU's offshore renewable energy strategy. We exemplify this coordination failure by analyzing carbon leakage effects associated with Denmark's planned North Sea energy island. The Danish energy island project will not start production before 2033, implying a long interval between project announcement and production. Using a dynamic model of the EU ETS, we show that the large time gap between announcement and production likely results in a ‘Green Paradox’, where the energy island increases aggregate EU ETS emissions. The mechanism leading to the emission increase is complicated and works through the Market Stability Reserve (MSR). The estimated 2050 leakage rate is 145 percent in our main scenario and not below 100 percent in any alternative scenario. We discuss how to improve the climate benefits of the energy island or similar large-scale renewable energy projects. This includes possible revisions to the EU ETS and the role of Power-to-X technologies.

Facile synthesis of dual-ligand europium-metal organic gels for ratiometric electrochemiluminescence detecting I27L gene

Metal organic gels (MOGs) are a new kind of intelligent soft materials with excellent luminescence properties. However, MOGs with dual electrochemiluminescence (ECL) properties have not been reported. In this study, using Eu3+ as metal node, 4′-(4-carboxyphenyl)-2,2′:6′,2″-terpyridine (Hcptpy) and Luminol as organic ligands, a novel dual-ligand Europium-organic gels (Eu-L-H MOGs) were prepared by simple mixing at room temperature. On the one hand, Eu-L-H MOGs could exhibit strong and stable anodic ECL signals in the phosphate buffered saline (PBS) without the addition of co-reactants, which came from the blue emission of Luminol. On the other hand, using K2S2O8 as a cathodic co-reactant, Eu-L-H MOGs produced cathodic signals, which were derived from the red emission of Eu sensitized by Hcptpy through the antenna effect. Based on the independent dual ECL signals of Eu-L-H MOGs, we selected Alexa Flour 430 as the receptor and anodic ECL emission of Eu-L-H MOGs as the donor to construct the ECL resonance energy transfer (ECL-RET) ratio biosensor, which utilized exonuclease III assisted DNA cycle amplification to achieve ultrasensitive detection of the I27L gene. The detection linearity of I27L ranged from 1 fM to 10 nM, with a detection limit as low as 284 aM. This study developed a straightforward technique for obtaining a single luminescent material with dual signals, and further broadened the analytical application of MOGs in the realm of ECL.

Carbon price and firm greenhouse gas emissions

Drawing on the recent enthusiasm in the carbon markets, I examine the impact of carbon prices on firm greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Using a sample of 1591 firms from 23 European countries, I demonstrate that an increase in carbon price decreases corporate GHG. At hypothesized higher carbon pricing levels, I document that the effect of pricing on corporate GHG emissions is negative. The negative impact of high carbon prices manifests in other harmful gases such as sulphur and volatile organic compounds (VOCs). In evaluating how the various phases of the EU emission trading scheme have affected firm greenhouse gas emissions, I show that the negative effect of pricing became pronounced in Phase 3 of the EU ETS. The findings from this study are robust to alternative econometric specifications and further sample selection criteria.

Enhancing Carbon Capture and Storage Deployment in the EU: A Sectoral Analysis of a Ton-Based Incentive Strategy

The EU considers carbon capture and storage (CCS) technology as an option for achieving climate goals, but its cost remains appreciable. Therefore, the purpose of this research was to investigate the implementation of a ton-based incentive system for CCS in the EU using Croatia as an example based on an analysis of the existing legislative framework in the EU and relevant tax credit provisions in the USA. A novel methodology for the design of the incentive system is presented in the form of partial allocation of the state’s auction revenues from the EU emissions trading system (ETS) into the CCS fund for five years. The CCS fund assets then incentivize the capture site for 10 years. The incentives are determined for each emitter in cement, electricity, paper and pulp, glass, oil refining, and petrochemical sectors based on varying European Union allowance (EUA) prices, CCS fund sizes, and CO2 emission scenarios. In addition to designing the methodology, a novel method for forecasting CO2 emissions is applied using geometric Brownian motion. The calculated incentives are categorized as underperforming, optimal, or overperforming, with upper and lower limits set to 80 and 10 EUR/t. The results are optimistic, since all sectors can be efficiently incentivized within the defined boundaries, meaning that the incentive system can be applied to all member states. The contracting of the incentives is proposed through carbon contracts for difference to avoid irregularities. Also, regulatory amendments are proposed so that emitters with emissions higher than 100 kt would have to consider CCS. Finally, the contributions are presented by proving the feasibility of the incentive system together with demonstrating its applicability to all member states.

Eu(III)-based polymeric nanoparticles as dual-emission turn-off sensor for anthrax biomarker detection

Anthrax is an acute infectious disease with high mortality caused by bacillus anthracis, which can severely harm human healthy. 2,6-pyridinedicarboxylic acid (DPA) is the main component and a major biomarker of bacillus anthracis. Therefore, it is essential to develop a sensitive and selective sensor for DPA detection. In this study, luminescent lanthanide nanoparticles, poly(PTEu)-PAA, were successfully synthesized by introducing Europium(III)-based complex and N-(4-(1,2,2-triphenylvinyl)phenyl)acrylamide (TPENA) to a hydrophilic macro-chain transfer agent poly(PEGMA)-PAA. The obtained poly(PTEu)-PAA nanoparticles were spherical with good dispersity, water stability and average diameters of approximately 443 nm. Furthermore, poly(PTEu)-PAA nanoparticles can act as a dual emission ‘‘turn-off’’ probe for detecting DPA in water. Upon addition of DPA, the emission of Eu(TTA)2(AA)phen and TPENA centers in polymeric nanoparticles were quenched with the detection limits (LODs) of 0.30 μM (at 618 nm) and 6.1 μM (at 455 nm), respectively, which was considerably lower than an infectious dosage of bacillus anthracis spores (60 μM) for a human being. Additionally, it showed high recoveries (92.50 %–102.45 %) in tap water, bovine serum, human serum and human urine samples. This is the first example of DPA sensor based on a dual-emission "turn-off" mechanism for Eu(III)-based polymeric nanoparticles, which presents a new avenue for detecting DPA.

Decarbonization Pathways, Strategies, and Use Cases to Achieve Net-Zero CO2 Emissions in the Steelmaking Industry

The steelmaking industry is responsible for 7% of global CO2 emissions, making decarbonization a significant challenge. This review provides a comprehensive analysis of current steel-production processes, assessing their environmental impact in terms of CO2 emissions at a global level. Limitations of the current pathways are outlined by using objective criteria and a detailed review of the relevant literature. Decarbonization strategies are rigorously evaluated across various scenarios, emphasizing technology feasibility. Focusing on three pivotal areas—scrap utilization, hydrogen integration, and electricity consumption—in-depth assessments are provided, backed by notable contributions from both industrial and scientific fields. The intricate interplay of technical, economic, and regulatory considerations substantially affects CO2 emissions, particularly considering the EU Emissions Trading System. Leading steel producers have established challenging targets for achieving carbon neutrality, requiring a thorough evaluation of industry practices. This paper emphasizes tactics to be employed within short-, medium-, and long-term periods. This article explores two distinct case studies: One involves a hot rolling mill that utilizes advanced energy techniques and uses H2 for the reheating furnace, resulting in a reduction of 229 kt CO2-eq per year. The second case examines DRI production incorporating H2 and achieves over 90% CO2 reduction per ton of DRI.

Four orotate-based lanthanide coordination polymers with rhomboid [Ln4(μ3-OH)2]-based 1D chainlike structure exhibiting luminescence and large magnetocaloric effect

Four isostructural lanthanide coordination polymers with orotic acid (H3OA) as building ligand, {[Ln(HOA)(μ3-OH)(H2O)2]·H2O}n (Ln = Eu (1); Gd (2); Tb (3); Dy (4)), were synthesized under hydrothermal conditions. Single-crystal X-ray diffraction analyses demonstrate that complexes 1–4 have an one-dimensional (1D) chainlike structure consisting of rhomboid [Ln4(μ3-OH)2] unit and HOA2- linker. Magnetic studies indicate that 2 displays a large magnetocaloric effect with magnetic entropy value of 37.11 J kg−1 K−1 at 2.0 K for ΔH = 7.0 T. This is a considerable value among the reported molecular magnetic coolants, and has a great application potential in the field of ultra-low temperature refrigeration. In addition, the solid-state photophysical properties of 1 and 3 exhibit obvious characteristic Eu(III) and Tb(III) photoluminescence emission in the visible region, suggesting that Eu- and Tb-based luminescence were sensitized effectively by the energy transfer from the ligand to the metal centers.

How ideas shape the EU's climate policy: Moving toward the sufficiency paradigm for the EU ETS

AbstractThis article examines the paradigm shifts in the European Union's (EU's) climate policy from 2009 to 2022 looking closer at the main policy instrument of EU's climate policy, the EU Emissions Trading System (EU ETS). The paradigm shifts of the EU ETS are linked to the climate policy paradigms prometheanism/growth unlimited (PGU), ecological modernization (EM), and sufficiency. The question of how ideas have shaped EU climate policy and the EU ETS in the past decade is answered, with the establishment of the EM paradigm and moving toward the sufficiency paradigm. There is a need for more research looking closer at how this paradigm shift impacts legislation for climate policy going forward.

The Market Stability Reserve in the EU Emissions Trading System: A Critical Review

Having experienced low prices for about a decade, the European Union Emissions Trading System has been supplemented with the market stability reserve (MSR) that adjusts the supply of allowances to market outcomes. We critically review the literature assessing the performance of the MSR against several policy objectives. In doing so, we cover both conceptual aspects and quantitative assessments. We conclude by pointing out important policy implications and open issues for further research.

High potential for CH4 emission mitigation from oil infrastructure in one of EU's major production regions

Abstract. Ambitious methane (CH4) emission mitigation represents one of the most effective opportunities to slow the rate of global warming over the next decades. The oil and gas (O&G) sector is a significant source of methane emissions, with technically feasible and cost-effective emission mitigation options. Romania, a key O&G producer within the EU, with the second highest reported annual CH4 emissions from the energy sector in the year 2020 (Greenhouse Gas Inventory Data - Comparison by Category, 2022), can play an important role towards the EU's emission reduction targets. In this study, we quantify CH4 emissions from onshore oil production sites in Romania at source and facility level using a combination of ground- and drone-based measurement techniques. Measured emissions were characterized by heavily skewed distributions, with 10 % of the sites accounting for more than 70 % of total emissions. Integrating the results from all site-level quantifications with different approaches, we derive a central estimate of 5.4 kg h−1 per site of CH4 (3.6 %–8.4 %, 95 % confidence interval) for oil production sites. This estimate represents the third highest when compared to measurement-based estimates of similar facilities from other production regions. Based on our results, we estimate a total of 120 kt CH4 yr−1 (range: 79–180 kt yr−1) from oil production sites in our studied areas in Romania. This is approximately 2.5 times higher than the reported emissions from the entire Romanian oil production sector for 2020. Based on the source-level characterization, up to three-quarters of the detected emissions from oil production sites are related to operational venting. Our results suggest that O&G production infrastructure in Romania holds a massive mitigation potential, specifically by implementing measures to capture the gas and minimize operational venting and leaks.

Auditors’ Carbon Risk Consideration under the EU Emission Trading System

ABSTRACT This paper addresses the effects of clients’ carbon risk on audit pricing. Using data from 438 EU companies for the period 2013–2019, we find a positive relationship between carbon risk (measured by the level of carbon emissions) and audit fees. Furthermore, we find that participation in the European Union’s Emission Trading System, a limited market and regulation scheme to mitigate special industries’ Greenhouse Gas emissions, strengthens the positive relationship between carbon risk and audit fees. Insights from additional tests indicate that auditors price carbon risk particularly for large clients that are under greater public scrutiny and that the increase in fees rather stems from a risk premium charged by the auditor than higher audit effort. With interest in climate change developing rapidly across society, practice and research combined with the increasing importance of reducing carbon risk, our findings are timely and should thus appeal to a wide variety of recipients.

Industrially relevant pyrolysis of diverse contaminated organic wastes: Gas compositions and emissions to air

Pyrolysis is a promising waste handling technique compared to incineration, especially due to its potential for greenhouse gas reduction through biochar carbon removal. This study investigated greenhouse gas and air pollutant emissions and emission factors from waste feedstocks and a reference clean wood pyrolyzed at 500–800 °C in an industrially relevant small version Biogreen® unit with condensation prior to pyrolysis gas combustion. Emissions were generally lower than literature values, except for nitrogen oxides (NOX) and sulfur dioxide (SO2). Methane (CH4) and nitrous oxide (N2O) emissions ranged 30–570 mg CH4 and 0–32 mg N2O per kg biochar produced. Waste lignocellulosics (waste timber and garden waste) had comparable emissions to clean wood, except for higher NOX emissions. All waste feedstocks exceeded the EU NOX emission limit value for waste incineration (>200 mg NOX/Nm3 at 11% oxygen, O2), while no carbon monoxide (CO) was measured (<0.6 mg/Nm3) suggesting possible compliance with EU emission limit values for waste incineration with simple pollution control measures such as air-to-fuel ratio regulation, or other NOX reducing measures such as flue gas recirculation or selective (non-)catalytic reduction. Sludges and food waste reject also exceeded the SO2 EU emission limit value (50 mg SO2/Nm3 at 11% O2) for waste incineration, emissions ranging 61–298 mg SO2/Nm3 at 11% O2, indicating the potential need for SO2 pollution control. In conclusion, this study shows continuous pyrolysis with condensation as a promising alternative for waste management with potential for simplified air pollution control compared to incineration. Future work should focus on optimized combustion systems for waste pyrolysis and emissions from waste pyrolysis without condensation.

Synthesis and photoluminescence characterisation of Ca2La2O5:Eu3+, a novel red-emitting phosphor: a comprehensive study

ABSTRACT A novel low-melting-temperature chemical flux method was used to synthesise a Ca2La2O5 lattice doped with Eu3+ ions in the range of 0.5-2.5 mol-%. The phosphors were characterised by powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, particle size distribution, photoluminescence (PL), and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, respectively. The PXRD pattern revealed the hexagonal crystal structure with the space group P63/m. The microstrain (ϵ) was found to not vary with different concentrations of dopant and the negative means compression in the lattice. Particles of varying sizes and irregular shapes were observed from the SEM micrographs. The EDAX mapping revealed that all the constituent elements were found to be in appropriate ratios. Interestingly, the Ca2La2O5:xEu3+ (x = 0.5-2.5 mol-%) phosphor samples were excited at 590 nm, showing a Stokes-shifted red-PL with significant intensities at 615 and 627 nm. Unconventionally, when the phosphor is excited at 590 nm, the Eu3+ ion-characteristic luminescence owing to 5D0→7FJ (J = 0, 1, 2, 3, 4) transitions are manifested. Another remarkable observation is that the PL at 627 nm corresponding to 5D0→7F3 transition was much stronger than the 615 nm emission of Eu3+ corresponding to 5D0→7F3 transition, indicating high colour purity among the available red-emitting phosphors.

Valence state switching and reversible emission tunability of A2SiO4 (A = Ba, Sr, and Ca) with two-site substitution of Eu ions through simple thermal treatment

We investigated the changes in the structural and luminescent properties of Eu-ion-doped A2SiO4 (A2SiO4:Eu, A = Ba, Sr, and Ca) by annealing in oxidizing and reducing atmospheres. The initially synthesized samples displayed distinct, intense red emissions at approximately 600 and 700 nm, which can be attributed to the presence of Eu3+ ions. The emission intensity of Eu3+ was the strongest in Ca2SiO4:Eu, which exhibited the lowest lattice symmetry among the three samples. Remarkably, following annealing in a reducing atmosphere (H2), the previously observed red emission vanished, and instead, a strong green emission at around 500 nm, which is characteristic of Eu2+ ions. Because of the two occupation sites of the Eu ions in A2SiO4, the emission of Eu2+ strongly depends on the excitation wavelength, which is the most evident in Ca2SiO4:Eu. Conversely, after annealing in an oxidizing atmosphere (O2), the emission in the green region was suppressed and the emission in the red region returned. The reversible transition between two oxidation states occurred repeatedly by alternating H2 and O2 annealing, resulting in good color tunability in wide visible region with a simple ambient annealing process in a single compound.

The German Climate Verdict, Human Rights, Paris Target, and EU Climate Law

The German Constitutional Court’s climate verdict provided a re-interpretation of core liberal-democratic concepts, and it is highly relevant for liberal constitutional law in general, including EU and international law—where similar issues are currently being discussed in ongoing trials before the European Court of Human Rights and the International Court of Justice. The present article applies a legal interpretation to analyse the national and transnational implications of the ruling. The results show that the verdict accepts human rights as intertemporal and globally applicable. It applies the precautionary principle to these rights and frees them from the misleading causality debate. However, the court failed to address the most important violations of human rights, it categorised climate policy as a greater threat to freedom than climate change, and the court failed to acknowledge that the Paris 1.5-degree limit implies a radically smaller carbon budget. Furthermore, little attention has so far been paid to the fact that the ruling implies an obligation for greater EU climate protection, especially since most emissions are regulated supranationally. Against this backdrop, the EU emissions trading system demands a reform, which has to go well beyond the existing EU proposals so as to enable societal transformations towards sustainability.

A note on carbon taxes and trade spillovers within Europe

Carbon taxation is a highly debated environmental policy tool and can contribute to tackling climate change. Before the advent of the emission trading system in the European Union, forms of carbon taxation were present in some EU member states; furthermore, after the approval of the well-known EU Green Deal, carbon taxes can gain momentum in addressing emissions from sectors not involved in the EU Emissions Trading System. Due to this historical evolution of environmental policies over the last decades and in the presence of a system that assigns to EU member states, the governance of energy and fiscal issues, heterogeneous carbon/energy policy settings may determine the impact on growth and trade. This article provides food for thought for a policy through an empirical evaluation of the impact on the gross domestic product of trade spillovers related to carbon taxation in the European Union.

Enhanced orange-red emission in Eu3+/Li+ co-doped Na5Lu9F32 fluoride single crystal upon excitation of 394 nm

In this study, a series of transparent 0.5 Eu3+/χ Li+ (χ = 0, 0.3, 0.6, 0.9, and 1.2): Na5Lu9F32 fluoride single crystals with high-quality were successfully grown by a modified Bridgman technique. The impacts of Li+ ion dopant on the luminous properties of Na5Lu9F32 doped Eu3+ single crystals were studied by fluorescence spectra, decay curves and absorption spectra. The doping of Li+ was beneficial for improvement of the orange-red emission, and the emission intensity of Eu3+ singly doped crystal could be doubled by co-doping 0.9 mol% Li+ ions. The variations of local environment around the Eu3+ ions after Li+ ions doping were probed by the emission spectra and the changes of ratios between red and orange emission intensities (R/O). Additionally, internal quantum efficiency of Eu3+/Li+: Na5Lu9F32 single crystal could be reached to ∼18.25%. Therefore, Eu3+/Li+: Na5Lu9F32 single crystal was considered as a potential material for orange-red laser and related optical devices.