Implementing regulation on the monitoring and reporting of GHG emissions

1 October 2024: Following the consultation during the summer, the European Commission published the updated Implementing regulation on monitoring and reporting of the greenhouse gas emissions on the 23 September .

Measures on the monitoring, reporting, and verifying (MRV) of non-CO2 emissions from the aviation sector:

The regulation stipulates that from 2025, monitoring and reporting of non-CO2 aviation effects will apply to all aviation activities within the European Economic Area (EEA) as listed in Annex I of the Directive, and for 2025 and 2026, however, this reporting will be limited to flights between two airports within the EEA, or from an EEA airport to either Switzerland or the UK (short and medium-haul flights). For the rest of the flights reporting will be voluntary during this period.

The monitoring of these climate effects is considered by the Commission as a crucial step to further enhance the scientific understanding of the matter. It is complemented by financial support from the EU ETS Innovation Fund to mitigate the non-CO2 impacts, as well as the Horizon Europe research programme.

In the ncoming weeks, DG CLIMA will meet with the industry to demonstrate the reporting tool and answer potential remaining questions.

Enhance accuracy of information on alternative aviation fuels and reporting their emissions:

The revisions agreed introduce zero rating of emissions from the combustion of renewable fuels of non-biological origin (RFNBOs), recycled carbon fuels (RCFs) and synthetic low-carbon fuels in the ETS. Indeed, rules needed to be compliant with the Renewable Energy Directive and to include definitions and guidelines for monitoring and reporting emissions from RFNBOs and RCFs. Also, the changes will ensure emissions are accounted for and double accounting will be avoided.

The changes include detailed monitoring and reporting requirements for alternative aviation fuels to enhance the accuracy of information on biomass, RFNBOs, RCFs and synthetic low-carbon fuels:

• Emissions should be recorded as memo items in the reports.
• Parameters of alternative fuels must be identified for each fuel source.
• Specific rules will cover the determination of carbon content for both zero-rated and non-zero-rated fractions.

9 July 2024: In response to the revision of the EU ETS, the European Commission has published a draft implementing act to update the rules for the monitoring, reporting and verification (MRV) scheme.

A feedback period will be open until 29 July.

25 June 2024: Starting in January 2025, the EU will require airlines to report emissions of soot, nitrogen oxides and water vapour, in addition to CO2. During the summer, the Commission will share an Implementing regulation act, and during ERA's recent Environmental and Social Group meeting, DG CLIMA announced that the plan is to exempt long-haul flights from monitoring non-CO2 emissions after international carriers lobbied for an opt out.

Despite the significant impact of non-CO2 emissions on global warming, the draft proposal excludes international flights from these rules until 2027, applying only to flights within Europe. This aligns with current EU rules, which are due for reassessment in 2026.