Data Centres in Europe – Reporting Scheme
Scope Related to standards-based policies, the scope of the European Commission’s initiative for data centres reporting scheme in Europe is to establish a standard framework for monitoring and reporting the environmental performance of data centres. Summary The European Commission introduced in (European Commission, 2024) a reporting scheme for data centres in Europe to enhance transparency […]
Digital Tokens for Climate Action and Nature-Based Solutions: Exploration of Opportunities and Considerations
Scope Gómez et al. explore how Environmental tokens (or digital tokens) can be leveraged to support climate action and nature-based solutions. It discusses the potential of these technologies as mechanisms to fundraise for nature-based projects (e.g., reward system that incentivise consumer behaviour change), participate in the carbon market, facilitate data sharing among various organisations, and enhance […]
Green Bonds: Financing the Transition to a Low-Carbon Economy
Scope The European Investment Bank (EIB) report details how the EIB has been a leader in issuing green bonds, emphasising that “the funds generated through EIB green bonds are directed toward projects that aim to reduce GHG emissions and promote energy-saving technologies.” It highlights specific projects financed by EIB green bonds, including those focused on […]
Greening ICT: What Can the EU Do?
Scope The European Policy Centre (European Policy Centre, 2022) discusses the alignment of the EU’s green and digital transitions, highlighting that National Recovery and Resilience Plans (NRRPs) “facilitate the transition to a low-carbon, more energy-efficient economy by aligning investment in green technologies with digital transformation.” Summary Government subsidies for companies in the EU are designed […]
Emission Allowances and Associated Derivatives Final Report
Scope The European Securities and Markets Authority (ESMA) Final Report on Emission Allowances and Associated Derivatives provides a comprehensive overview of the functioning of both primary and secondary EU carbon markets. It details allowance prices, analyses supply-demand dynamics, and analysis abnormal behaviours in the market. Summary The European Securities and Markets Authority (ESMA) report (European […]
State and Trends of Carbon Pricing Dashboard
Scope The World Bank’s Carbon Pricing Dashboard provides a comprehensive and up-to-date overview of global carbon pricing initiatives. It offers to policymakers, businesses, and researchers detailed information on existing and emerging carbon pricing mechanisms. Summary The World Bank Group in (World Bank Group, 2024) defines carbon pricing as a policy tool “to align the costs […]
EU Renewable Energy Directive, Directive (EU) 2023/2413 (RED III)
Scope Directive (EU) 2023/2413 aims to significantly increase the share of renewable energy, thereby supporting the EU’s climate goals and promoting a sustainable energy transition. Summary On October 18, 2023, the European Union (EU) adopted an amendment of the Renewable Energy Directive, (EU) 2023/2413 (European Parliament and Council, 2023), which is commonly referred to as […]
A Meaningful US Cap-and-trade System to Address Climate Change
Scope Stavins evaluates and compares different emission reduction policies including command-and-control standards. It examines how command-and-control standards mandate specific actions to reduce emissions, their limitations, and potential to complement cap-and-trade systems and carbon taxes. Summary In (Stavins, 2008), command-and-control standards, such as energy efficiency for appliances or emission performance standards for vehicles and electricity generators, […]
What is the EU ETS?
Scope The European commission provide a comprehensive overview of the EU Emissions Trading System (EU ETS) and the Cap-and-Trade principle on which the system operates. This system is a key tool in the EU’s strategy to combat climate change by reducing greenhouse gas emissions cost-effectively. Summary The European Emissions Trading System (EU ETS), as explained […]
Impact of Information and Communication Technologies on Energy Efficiency
Scope Beton et al. evaluate the ICT sector’s lifecycle impact (primary effect) and its potential to improve energy efficiency (secondary and tertiary effects). The study includes ICT energy consumption projections based on different scenarios, such as business-as-usual and an eco-scenario, and provides a comprehensive list of key actions for achieving an eco-scenario. Summary To establish […]
