A pivotal EU decision looms for the Waste-to-Energy sector. Its inclusion in the Emissions Trading System is under debate. Find out what is at stake for the industry’s future.
Key Takeaways
- A pivotal EU decision about Waste-to-Energy’s inclusion in the Emissions Trading System is imminent.
- The conference, titled ‘Waste and Emissions Trading,’ examines the impact of this inclusion on climate policy and waste management.
- The discussions will focus on the EU’s ETS reform, its feasibility for the Waste-to-Energy sector, and the need for complementary policies.
- Key speakers include MEPs and representatives from the European Commission, addressing the balance between environmental goals and sustainable practices.
A significant event concerning the future of waste management and climate policy in the European Union is scheduled for today in Brussels. Titled “Waste and Emissions Trading,” the conference will address the potential inclusion of Waste-to-Energy (WtE) in the EU Emissions Trading System (ETS). This topic is of considerable importance for the energy and environmental sectors.
The event is organised by the Confederation of European Waste-to-Energy Plants (CEWEP) and the European Suppliers of Waste-to-Energy Technology (ESWET). CEWEP represents approximately 434 Waste-to-Energy plants across 24 countries. Meanwhile, ESWET represents the manufacturers that supply the technology for these facilities.
The Reform Of Emissions Trading And Its Implications
The backdrop to this conference is the ongoing reform of the EU Emissions Trading System (ETS), the Union’s key instrument for reducing greenhouse gas emissions. As part of its climate and circular economy objectives, the EU is currently exploring the possibility of extending the ETS to new sectors. Municipal waste incineration is a key candidate for inclusion. By 2028, the waste-to-energy sector could be included in the Emissions Trading System across Europe.
The inclusion of waste-to-energy in the ETS framework is intended to create further incentives to reduce carbon dioxide emissions and improve material recovery from residual waste streams. However, the proposal raises questions regarding policy coherence, feasibility and its overall environmental effectiveness. These issues will be at the centre of discussions at the event.
Event Programme And Speakers
The conference will serve as a platform for dialogue among key stakeholders, including representatives from European institutions, EU member states, industry, and civil society. The objective is to evaluate whether the EU ETS provides a suitable framework for the Waste-to-Energy sector. In addition, the event will explore complementary policies necessary to achieve Europe’s climate and circularity targets.
The programme, which runs from 12:30 to 17:30 at the Residence Palace, will feature a series of discussions and presentations. A notable list of speakers will provide insights from various perspectives. Keynote speaker Letizia Moratti, a Member of the European Parliament, will be featured. Other confirmed speakers include:
- Mette Koefoed Quinn, Deputy Director for Carbon Markets and Clean Mobility at the European Commission’s Directorate-General for Climate Action.
- Karolina D’Cunha, Deputy Head of Unit “From Waste to Resources” at the European Commission’s DG Environment.
- Alessandra Moretti, Member of the European Parliament.
- Tobias Persson from the Swedish Environmental Protection Agency.
- Industry leaders such as Paul De Bruycker (Indaver), Jacob H. Simonsen (ARC, Copenhagen), Amalia Cerdá Lacaci (TIRME, Mallorca), Vanessa Fakra (Kanadevia Inova), and Donatas Petronis (Gren Klaipeda).
The discussions will address how Europe can design the most effective climate tools for the Waste-to-Energy sector. The focus will be on balancing environmental objectives with sustainable waste management practices. The full agenda for the event is available on the organisers’ websites.
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