This paper provides a comprehensive overview and analysis of different options to reform the EU Emissions Trading System (ETS). The options discussed include changes to address the rigidity of supply on the auctioning side, as well as reforms to add flexibility to free allocation. Additionally, other options that may enhance the functionality of the EU ETS are covered, drawing on examples and practices in other carbon-pricing mechanisms around the world.
It is crucial to note that any reform of the EU ETS must consist of a package of options. Taken separately, the options may very well have beneficial effects, but they would also leave intact clear imperfections in the current design. Specifically where the auctioning supply mechanism and the flexibility in free allocation are concerned, we assess multiple options in each category, and present evidence for each option. Where appropriate, we suggest complementing these reform options with additional elements (presented in section 3.3).
The aim of any structural reform should be to arrive at a set of options that forms a consistent and credible package. With this paper, we provide an evidence-based assessment of the various building blocks of such a reform.
Authors and their affiliations
Stefan Schleicher | Wegener Center at the University of Graz |
Andrei Marcu | Centre for European Policy Studies, Brussels |
Angela Köppl | Austrian Institute of Economic Research, Vienna |
Jürgen Schneider | Environment Agency Austria, Vienna |
Milan Elkerbout | Centre for European Policy Studies, Brussels |
Andreas Türk | Wegener Center at the University of Graz |
Alexander Zeitlberger | Wegener Center at the University of Graz |