This compilation of survey results shows how much companies involved in the EU emissions trading system (EU ETS) expect the EU to reform the ailing carbon market – by implementing the backloading proposal of the European Commission as a first step. Respondents are confident that the EU will adopt a 30% emissions reduction target for 2020 as a corner stone of further ETS reform.
The survey also shows how little real impact on investments the EU ETS has so far. In a situation in which in 2012 only 17% of companies had to buy allowances – in comparison to 41% that wanted to sell allowances – the market has virtually collapsed. Under these circumstances, the ETS does not fulfil its task to provide for long-term price signals that encourage companies to invest into lowcarbon technologies.
