Emissions Trading Scheme
The EU ‘Emissions Trading System’ (ETS) was set up in 2005 and is the world’s first international emissions trading system. The legislative framework for the current period, 2021-2030, was revised in 2018 to achieve the EU’s 2030 emission reduction targets, and as part of the EU’s contribution to the Paris Agreement.
In addition, with the objective set within the European Green Deal to become the first climate neutral economy by 2050, new EU Emission Trading System State Aid Guidelines started in 2021.
On 19 October 2020, the European Commission mentioned the revision of the EU ETS, as well as a legislative proposal for ETS as an own resource. It will include an impact assessment planned for Q2 2021.
Fluorinated greenhouse gases
On 15 September 2020, the European Commission launched a Public Consultation for the review of the EU rules on Fluorinated greenhouse gases adopted in 2014. Fluorinated gases (‘F-gases’) are man-made greenhouse gases used in various products and appliances (e.g. fridges, air-conditioning units). Their emissions contribute to climate warming.
HOPE previously followed this topic as F-gas are widely used in refrigeration and air-conditioning and hospitals are among the biggest consumers of air conditioning and refrigerants.
Although, in a discussion that took place on 11 December 2020, the focus was on pressurised metered-dose inhalers (pMDI), used by patients suffering from asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and containing F-gases. The event was organised by the International Pharmaceutical Aerosol Consortium (IPAC) with representatives from the European Commission (DG CLIMA), the European Federation of Allergy and Airways Diseases Patients’ Associations (EFA), the European Respiratory Society (ERS) and the German Environment Agency (UBA)
Climate and health
On 12 May 2020, the European Commission released a Roadmap, and on 14 May 2020, a Public Consultation, to elaborate a new strategy to help the EU adapt to the effects of climate change.
On 13 May 2020, HOPE attended an online discussion organised by the European Commission Scientific Advice Mechanism on “Adaptation to climate change-related health effects in Europe”. Draft Recommendations released by the European Commission were discussed, questioning the impact of climate change on health, and needs to be mitigated through adaptation.