Cewep urges careful design of EU ETS extension

Key Takeaways

• EU proposes extending the ETS to waste-to-energy plants, phased in from 2031–2034.
• Cewep backs emissions cuts but wants the design to avoid unintended side effects.
• Around 500 European plants treat some 100 million tonnes of residual waste yearly.
• Plants provide essential sanitary services, handling waste that can’t be recycled.
• Extension ties to the Circular Economy Act; Cewep will engage EU co-legislators.

The European Commission has proposed extending the EU Emissions Trading System (ETS) to waste-to-energy facilities, with a gradual phase-in between 2031 and 2034. Meanwhile, the Confederation of European Waste-to-Energy Plants (CEWEP) has called on co-legislators to ensure the design delivers real climate outcomes for the waste sector.

Sector says it backs emissions cuts

Cewep says the European waste-to-energy sector supports reducing greenhouse gas emissions from the waste sector, as set out in its Climate Roadmap. Moreover, the association argues that the ETS revision should incentivise high environmental performance in line with the waste hierarchy. It should also avoid unintended collateral effects.

Around 500 waste-to-energy facilities across Europe treat approximately 100 million tonnes of residual waste each year. These plants provide a public sanitary service the circular economy depends on. They treat non-recyclable waste streams, including rejects from recycling processes, that cannot be prevented or recycled. Cewep’s members operate roughly 500 plants in 25 countries. These plants recover energy for heat and electricity supply while enabling material recovery from bottom ash.

Extension linked to forthcoming Circular Economy Act

The Commission has said the inclusion of waste incineration in the ETS is part of a wider package linked to the forthcoming Circular Economy Act. Furthermore, Cewep said it intends to engage actively with the European Parliament and the Council. Their aim is to help define an overall framework that reduces greenhouse gas emissions in the waste sector without unintended negative consequences for the environment.

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