IETA Submits Input to European Commission on Post-2030 Climate…

IETA has submitted responses to the European Commission’s Calls for Evidence on the EU’s post-2030 climate policy framework, focusing on the role of international carbon credits and the design of national targets and flexibilities.

In our submission on international carbon credits, we support their use as a complement to ambitious domestic action, in line with the EU Climate Law. The Association emphasises the importance of maintaining high environmental integrity, including robust monitoring, reporting and verification (MRV) systems, and alignment with Article 6 of the Paris Agreement.

IETA also highlights the need to avoid unnecessary EU-specific requirements that could fragment global carbon markets. Instead, we call for clear governance frameworks, predictable demand signals, and flexible use of international credits across EU policy instruments, including the EU Emissions Trading System (ETS), Effort Sharing Regulation (ESR), and Land Use, Land Use Change and Forestry (LULUCF) framework. Properly designed, international credits can support cost-effective decarbonisation while strengthening EU competitiveness, enhancing global climate ambition, and fostering international cooperation.

In our response on national targets and flexibilities, IETA recommends the establishment of clear post-2030 national climate targets supported by strong market-based flexibilities. IETA underscores the importance of clear rules and incentives for carbon removals, as well as improved use of ETS revenues to support industrial decarbonisation within Member States.

IETA further calls for stronger alignment between national and EU-level frameworks to ensure consistency and ambition across the bloc. The submission also supports the limited use of high-quality international carbon credits to complement domestic mitigation efforts.

IETA will continue to engage with policymakers and stakeholders to support the development of a robust, predictable, and high-integrity EU climate policy framework.

Read the full submissions here:

IETA Submits Input to European Commission on Post-2030 Climate Policy Framework