Emission rights for waste incineration

Berlin and Brussels want to include municipal waste incineration in emissions trading. The waste industry warns against solo efforts at national level and calls on the EU to conduct a thorough analysis of the possible consequences.

The European Parliament’s Committee on Environment voted last week to include municipal waste incineration in the European Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS). Until now, it had been exempt. If the MEPs’ plan becomes reality, operators of waste incineration plants would have to buy emission rights for the CO2 emissions they cause from 2026. The goal is to avoid greenhouse gas emissions and make recycling more attractive. Will the plan work?

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