The 2019 European Green Deal sets out a plan to transform Europe’s economy, energy, transport, and industries for a more sustainable future. Under the European Green Deal, the “Fit for 55” package of climate and energy laws aims to reduce the EU’s net greenhouse gas emissions by at least 55% by 2030 compared with 1990 levels, on the way to achieving climate neutrality by 2050. For maritime transport, the “Fit for 55” package includes the EU Emissions Trading System (ETS) and the FuelEU Maritime Regulation.
The EU Emissions Trading System (ETS), as part of the European Union Fit for 55 package, is a cap-and-trade system that sets a limit, or “cap” on total greenhouse gas emissions from specific sectors, dividing the cap into tradable emission allowances. The EU ETS (Directive 2003/87/EC) has been extended to maritime transport emissions in the EU. The EU ETS System is one of the European Union’s main tools to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in maritime transport. The EU ETS Directive will apply from 2027 to dredging and offshore ships above 5000 gross tonnage.
The EU monitoring, reporting and verification (Regulation 2015/757) of ships’ emissions is one of the European Union’s main tools to monitor greenhouse gas emissions in maritime transport.
The taxonomy is a classification system that defines criteria for economic activities that are aligned with a net zero trajectory by 2050 and the broader environmental goals other than climate. The Taxonomy Regulation (Regulation 2020/852/EU) helps direct investments to the economic activities most needed for the transition, in line with the European Green Deal objectives.
The Water Framework Directive (Directive 2000/60/EC) is the main law for water protection in Europe. It applies to inland, transitional and coastal surface waters as well as groundwaters. It ensures an integrated approach to water management, respecting the integrity of whole ecosystems, including by regulating individual pollutants and setting corresponding regulatory standards. It requires Member States to protect and, where necessary, restore water bodies in order to reach good status, and to prevent deterioration. Good status means both good chemical and good ecological status.
The EU Marine Strategy Framework Directive (Directive 2008/56/EC) aims at protecting the marine ecosystem and biodiversity. To help EU countries achieve a good environmental status, the directive sets out 11 illustrative qualitative descriptors. Moreover, the joint communication on international ocean governance proposes concrete measures at international level, for example to address environmental and climate issues.
The Waste Framework Directive (Directive 2008/98/EC) is designed to tackle waste. It establishes the basic concepts related to waste management, including definitions of waste, recycling, and recovery, as well as the waste hierarchy and associated principles. Also, it aims to prevent the endangerment of human or animal health and harm to the environment.
The FuelEU maritime Regulation (Regulation 2023/1805), as part of the European Union Fit for 55 package, promotes the use of renewable, low-carbon fuels and clean energy technologies for ships. FuelEU maritime sets maximum limits for the yearly average greenhouse gas (GHG) intensity of the energy used by ships above 5,000 gross tonnage calling at European ports.
