ECF 2011 Annual Report - European Climate Foundation

Achievements at A glance
EU CLIMATE POLICIES PROGRAMME
• Revived discussion on need to bolster EU Emissions Trading
System (ETS)
Despite Poland’s resistance to stronger EU policies addressing
climate change, ECF grantees have ensured a clear understanding
that the current emissions target for 2020 is insufficient
and that the ETS needs tightening. As a result, the Danish
Presidency of the EU will examine both issues in 2012.
• 20% of the EU budget should be directed to climate
The NGO budget coalition provided analysis and a compelling
rationale that 20% of the 2014-2020 EU budget will be dedicated
to climate objectives.
• Harmful HFC-23 gases banned from EU ETS
ECF grantee CDM-Watch uncovered a scandal in the carbon
market that led to harmful HFC-23 gases being banned from the
EU ETS. Companies had been producing artificial HFC-23 gases
to earn offsets credits from destroying them.
POWER PROGRAMME
• Publication of the European Commission’s “Energy Roadmap 2050”
Published in December 2011, this report brings home the core conclusions drawn by
the ECF and our grantees - especially the Regulatory Assistance Project (RAP), Third
Generation Environmentalism (E3G), and the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) - over a
two-year build-up phase.
• Coal financing becomes more difficult
ECF grantees and partners addressed issues around financing coal, and EU policy was
established to end coal-mining subsidies. Leading banks introduced coal investment policies.
RAP, E3G, WWF’s European Policy Office, and the Smart Energy for Europe Platform
(SEFEP) supported the development of grid interconnections to enable the more rapid
decarbonisation of the EU power sector.
• Launch of “Power Perspectives 2030”
This November 2011 ECF report builds the case for the next wave of EU policy. At the EU
Member State level, reform of the UK’s electricity market continued with the introduction
of a white paper. A result of a concerted effort of ECF grantees, it introduces a better
incentive regime, an emissions performance standard, and the intent to ensure demandside
resources can participate in the market. In 2012 this process will become legislation.
TRANSPORT PROGRAMME
• Progress towards lifecycle accounting of fuel emissions
ECF grantee Transport & Environment (T&E) has long argued
in favour of accounting for the full lifecycle emissions of fuels,
including those made from tar sands or food crops. The EU
Commission has recognised the validity of this approach by
including tar sand values in its legislative proposal on fuel quality.
Another proposal is expected soon that will account for the full
lifecycle emissions of biofuels.
• “Smart trucks instead of mega-trucks”
Another idea from ECF grantee T&E, the EU Comissions has recognised
the case for improved aerodynamics of trucks in reducing
their fuel consumption.
• More objective debate on fuel-efficient technology and car
emission standards
The International Council for Clean Transportation (ICCT), the ESC,
the ECF, and grantees have successfully challenged the car industry's
monopoly on knowledge about fuel-efficient technology.
As a result, the EU Commission is now taking a more balanced
approach to the challenges of imposing stringent CO₂ emission
standards for cars.
Trilling, CEE Bankwatch, for the ‘Coalition for Sustainable EU Funds’
“BMJ found the partnership with the ECF invaluable in organising the conference “Health and Security Perspectives in Climate Change”
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