{
  "id": 13041631,
  "title": "Klimaschutz: Reform des Emissionshandels – Verbände sehen große Gefahr",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/09/klimaschutz-reform-des-emissionshandels-verbande-sehen-gro-e-gefahr",
  "topic": "business",
  "section": "Business",
  "published": "2026-10-09T05:32:32.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Handelsblatt",
    "slug": "handelsblatt",
    "url": "https://www.handelsblatt.com/politik/deutschland/klimaschutz-reform-des-emissionshandels-verbaende-sehen-grosse-gefahr/100260622.html"
  },
  "original_language": "de",
  "account": "Klimaschützer have criticized the planned reform of the European emissions trading system for the energy and industrial sectors. In a joint letter, eight associations addressed Chancellor Friedrich Merz (CDU), Environment Minister Carsten Schneider (SPD) and Economic Minister Katherina Reiche (CDU). Among the senders are the German Environmental Foundation (BUND), WWF Germany, Germanwatch and the German Nature Conservation Union (DNR). The letter, obtained by the Trade Journal, expresses great concern over the proposals from the EU Commission to reform the emissions trading system. These plans could jeopardize the achievement of European climate goals. The EU Commission presented its plans for revising the emissions trading system in mid-July, responding to requests from some Member States and industry to relax the rules. The emissions trading system is the EU's principal tool for reducing harmful CO2 emissions. Participants in the system must submit a certificate for every tonne of CO2 emitted. As a result of the scheme's introduction in 2005, emissions in the energy and industrial sectors have fallen by 50 percent. The EU Commission now wants to allocate more free certificates than previously planned and adjust the linear reduction factor that determines the annual reduction in the available number of certificates. Foreign certificates are also referred to as a \"risky bet\". Additionally, reforms to the Market Stability Reserve (MSR) are planned. The MSR is an instrument that, since 2019, has removed excess certificates from the market and released them when shortages occur. If the number of MSR certificates in reserve exceeds a predetermined limit at certain dates, they become permanently invalid. This instrument is intended to make the CO2 price more stable and reliable. The planned amendment would fail to retire \"certificates in the reserve\", resulting in a larger number of certificates remaining in reserve. This would increase the MSR's ability to release certificates in the next decade to balance the market. Furthermore, the EU Commission wants to allow additional certificates to be generated from emissions reductions outside the EU. The reasoning is that climate change does not differentiate between European or foreign CO2 emissions - they may be reduced at lower costs. Consequently, these generated emission certificates would also enter the emissions trading system. Klimaschutzverbände view this situation critically, as generous utilization of foreign emissions reductions constitutes a \"risky bet\" on uncertain emissions reductions, posing a financial strain on sectors subject to the emissions trading system. Compared to other sectors, such as agriculture or the building sector, these sectors would receive disproportionate relief. The associations urge Chancellor Merz, Environment Minister Schneider, and Economic Minister Reiche to advocate for a result in the further reform process that ensures European and climate goals are met without overburdening other sectors. Kai Niebert, President of the German Nature Conservation Union, emphasizes that the greatest cost pitfall for Europe is inaction on climate protection. \"Every tonne of CO2 extends our dependence on fossil resources and makes our economy and society more vulnerable,\" he states. The German government must promote a reliable emissions trading system that encourages investments and secures Europe's future. Lutz Weischer of Germanwatch argues that the industry does not need relaxation of the emissions trading system, but rather answers to its genuine competition problems and accompanying support for sufficient demand for green products, such as flagship markets. These issues are expected to fuel further discussions in the upcoming weeks, including in the European Parliament's leading committee on the environment and at the summit of EU Heads of State and Government next week.",
  "summary": "In einem Brief, der dem Handelsblatt vorliegt, wenden sich Klimaschutzverbände an Bundeskanzler Friedrich Merz. Sie warnen: Die Erreichung der Klimaschutzziele wird gefährdet.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}