2022

The impact of the proposed EU ETS 2 and the Social Climate Fund on emissions and welfare: evidence from literature and a new simulation...

Though this paper, we examine the literature for evidence on the effectiveness and economic and welfare impact of carbon pricing with revenue redistribution. We find that emissions reduction is moderate, unless carbon prices are high, while the economic and welfare impacts depend on the redistribution mechanism. With targeted redistribution, the policy tends to be progressive, helping reduce energy poverty and emissions at the same time. To add to the evidence base, we also present a modelling exercise of a theoretical carbon tax levied on all consumption goods.

Let’s talk about COP27

Within this new reality and the ensuing global crisis, COP27 was seen by some as an “oasis of diplomacy”, to quote US Secretary of Energy Jennifer Granholm – a space where countries could come together to act on the global challenge that is climate change. But while countries did come together in some landmark agreements, they left Sharm-el-Sheikh without much progress on actual action to mitigate climate change.

Recommendations for Romania’s Long-Term Strategy: Pathways to Climate Neutrality

ince the initial deadline of January 1st, 2020, several key events and EU-level strategies have unfolded, which should be taken into account in Romania’s upcoming LTS. The European Green Deal and the Fit-for-55 package brought forth a whole new level of ambition for GHG emissions reduction, while the REPowerEU will accelerate the pace of the climate transition in the short and medium-term, following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. The Romanian LTS needs therefore to outline a plan for the rapid decarbonisation of the economy with the prospect of reaching climate neutrality before mid-century.

Phasing out coal in Romania: an assessment of the governance framework

Based on an assessment of best practices and other European experiences with phasing out coal, this report highlights the importance of setting into law ambitious targets for a coal exit calendar. Different policy instruments can be used to implement this, such as minimum CO2 price floors or scheduled retirements of individual power plants.

An assessment of Bulgaria’s Long-Term Strategy

Long-Term Strategies are key instruments for Member States to meet their emissions targets. They vary in their concreteness, scope and level of detail, leading to uncertainties in how Member States will reduce their emissions to meet the EU's climate neutrality targets. This analysis reviews the Long-Term Strategy of Bulgaria and assesses how fit-for-purpose it is in providing a robust pathway for emissions reductions.

What’s holding back large-scale renewable deployment in Romania?

Interest in renewable investments in Romania is back. It is now clear that renewable energy is the key to solving two of the main challenges currently faced throughout Europe: ensuring energy security and reducing greenhouse gas emissions. As a net electricity importer and having faced stubbornly high electricity prices even compared to other EU countries, Romania stands to benefit greatly from further tapping into its renewable potential.

District heating in national Long-Term Strategies

As part of the Climate Recon project, EPG has analysed the role of low-carbon district heating in the Long-Term Strategies for climate neutrality of 23 Member States.

Circular Economy and Its Conceptual Hurdles

The concept of circular economy (CE) has become one of the most important pillars of climate change mitigation efforts as its implementation seeks to decouple economic growth from resource use.

Cât de pregătită este România pentru aprovizionarea cu gaze naturale în iarna 2022-2023?

România va reuși să atingă anul acesta un nivel de 28,7 TWh gaze naturale înmagazinate în depozitele subterane, aproximativ 87% din capacitatea totală disponibilă (peste ținta UE de 80%).

Propunerea Comisiei Europene de Regulament de intervenție de urgență în privința prețurilor energiei: Comparație cu prevederile OUG 119/2022

Propunerea Comisiei Europene de Regulament din 14 septembrie privind prețurile energiei în UE se bazează pe un efort de reducere coordonată a cererii de electricitate la orele de vârf cu 5%, pe plafonarea veniturilor așa-numiților generatori inframarginali de electricitate și pe impozitarea profiturilor suplimentare ale companiilor de combustibili fosili.

Analiză succintă a noii ordonanțe de urgență privind plafonarea și compensarea prețurilor energiei

Trebuie reamintit că actuala criză este una a penuriei de energie, parțial cauzată de agresiunea neașteptată și brutală a Rusiei asupra Ucrainei, cu declanșarea unui conflict energetic între Moscova și Uniunea Europeană, dar și de anii îndelungați în care nu s-au realizat investiții în producerea de energie.

Stories of carbon capture, utilization and storage – dubbed in Romanian

As part of the ConsenCUS project, EPG is analyzing the narratives and perceptions surrounding carbon capture, utilization and storage (CCUS) in Romania, where a novel carbon capture and conversion technology will be demonstrated in the near future.

EU taxonomy of sustainable economic activities and its relevance for the Romanian energy sector

In this report, EPG analyzes the EU Taxonomy, a classification tool for sustainable economic activities, and its impact on Romania’s energy sector. The EU Taxonomy was meant to become the ultimate manual for financial institution to label their products as “sustainable”.

Policy brief: foaie de parcurs pentru avansarea captării și stocării carbonului în România

Acest policy brief rezumă foaia de parcurs pentru avansarea captării și stocării carbonului (CCS) în România, dezvoltat de EPG în cadrul proiectului CCS4CEE. În această foaie de parcurs, EPG prezintă o serie de acțiuni concrete care trebuie implementate de către guvern, operatori economici și alți actori, pentru a realiza proiecte CCS și a contribui la atingerea țintelor de decarbonizare ale României.

Policy brief: a roadmap for advancing carbon capture and storage in Romania

This policy brief summarizes EPG’s roadmap for advancing CCS in Romania, written as part of the CCS4CEE project. In this roadmap, EPG presents a list of actions for implementation by government, economic operators and other actors, to make CCS projects a reality and contribute to Romania’s industrial decarbonization targets.

A roadmap for advancing carbon capture and storage in Romania

As part of the CCS4CEE project, EPG has produced a roadmap for advancing carbon capture and storage (CCS) in Romania, building on its analysis of the context and opportunities for CCS in Romania.

E timpul să luăm în serios economisirea energiei

Invazia cu totul iresponsabilă a Ucrainei de către Federația Rusă a declanșat în Europa un efort masiv de reducere a dependenței de importurile de gaze naturale rusești. Acesta devine o mișcare către independența energetică și un viitor prietenos cu mediul, în care pot participa toți cetățenii, adesea descumpăniți de incapacitatea de a contribui la rezolvarea greoaielor probleme geopolitice și climatice cu care se confruntă societatea.

Energy Efficiency Directive Revision Impact on the Romanian Energy Sector

The Energy Efficiency Directive (EED) is an essential instrument for achieving the energy and climate objectives of the European Union (EU). The recast EED aims to align its provisions – since many of them require increased ambition and enhancement of their scope – with the target of 55% reduction of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 2030.

Opțiunile României pentru eliminarea dependenței de importuri de gaze naturale din Federația Rusă – Perspective pentru 2023, 2030 și 2050

Șocul geopolitic cauzat de invazia militară a Ucrainei de către Federația Rusă zguduie nu doar sistemul european de securitate, ci și securitatea energetică a Uniunii Europene, care își acoperă nu mai puțin de 40% din consumul de gaze naturale prin importuri din Rusia. Între statele est-europene puternic dependente de importurile de gaze rusești, România are o situație relativ privilegiată, fiind un producător semnificativ de gaze.

CLUBUL CLIMATIC – următorul pas după includerea României în grupul țărilor dezvoltate?

Finalul lunii ianuarie a fost marcat de un eveniment a cărui importanță nu trebuie subestimată: demararea negocierilor oficiale pentru aderarea României la Organizația pentru Cooperare și Dezvoltare Economică (OCDE).

Fondul pentru Modernizare: O urgență pentru tranziția energetică din România

Fondul pentru Modernizare (FM) este cel mai important instrument financiar european destinat susținerii tranziției energetice în țările Europei Centrale și de Est până în 2030.

The Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism and its implications for Romania

The Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) is a heavily debated legislative proposal for a carbon tax on EU imports from five key sectors (aluminium, cement, fertilizer, iron and steel, and electricity). [1],[2] It has been proposed as part of the Fit for 55 package, with the purpose of preventing carbon leakage (the relocation of carbon-intensive production of tradable goods away from the EU, to avoid carbon costs).

The Revision of the Energy Taxation Directive and its Impact on the Romanian Energy Sector

The current version of the Energy Taxation Directive (ETD) is deemed outdated and misaligned with the EU agenda of promoting renewable energy sources, energy efficiency and greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) reduction. The European Commission’s ETD proposal is a unique opportunity to address some of the missing pieces of the current framework and sets the ground for encouraging the roll out of new, sustainable technologies and products by: building the tax rates based on the energy content and environmental impact, widening the taxation base, by including energy sectors that are not in the scope of the current ETD (aviation, shipping), developing mechanisms to incentivize new energy carriers and technologies, such as hydrogen and storage.

Renewable energy directive revision impact on the Romanian energy sector

The current Renewable Energy Directive (RED II) is being amended, as part of a broader overhaul of EU climate and energy legislation, to update the target and the legislation for delivering at least a 55% reduction in GHG emissions by 2030. The European Commission’s RED revision is the key EU legislative instrument for promoting the uptake of renewable energy sources and lays the foundation for higher RES targets at EU level and in every member state, mainstreaming renewables in buildings, H&C, industry, and transport.
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