Skip to content

Research project

LIFE COASE - Collaborative observatory for assessment of the EU ETS

The ultimate objective of LIFE COASE is to support EU and Member State policymakers in the implementation and development of the EU ETS, including its integration with other carbon markets. To this end, LIFE COASE will establish the first observatory for assessment of the EU ETS, which will be a reference source of knowledge for policymakers and stakeholders.

LIFE COASE is co-financed by the EU LIFE Programme of the European Commission - Project Number: 101074420

In the context of the global race to net zero greenhouse gas emissions and in view of deeper integration of carbon markets, there is a strong need for assessing the functioning of emissions trading systems (ETSs) and for international cooperation on emissions trading. The ongoing revision of the EU Emissions Trading System (EU ETS), as part of the European Green Deal, calls for more attention and evidence on the evolution of the instrument and its effects. Meanwhile, the EU remains committed to disseminating its experience with the EU ETS and is keen to learn from other jurisdictions. New data and tools for monitoring and assessing the EU ETS as well as international policy dialogue involving other ETS scan bolster the development of the EU ETS at this critical time. The ultimate objective of LIFE COASE is to support EU and Member State policymakers in the implementation and development of the EU ETS, including its integration with other carbon markets. To this end, LIFE COASE will establish the first observatory for assessment of the EU ETS, which will be a reference source of knowledge for policymakers and stakeholders. The Observatory will comprise six main action areas:

1) Production of new installation-to-firm matchings and data to increase the quality and quantity of studies assessing the EU ETS and its effects;

2) Generation of new firm-level data on climate investments through an extension of the European Investment Bank Investment Survey;

3) Production of new indicators for annual monitoring of the EU ETS;

4) Collection, coordination and synthesis of model-based assessments (ex-post and ex-ante) of the EU ETS and otherers;

5) Organisation and support of the Net Zero and Carbon Market Policy Dialogue between the European Commission, as the regulator of the EU ETS, and the regulators of other ETSs worldwide; and

6) Dissemination of knowledge on the EU ETS and carbon markets more generally, among policymakers, businesses, NGOs and researchers.

 

Dissemination outputs

Publications: All the publications produced as part of the project, including articles and other research outputs developed by the project team, are listed here.

Podcast series:  Radio Coase is a podcast series of the project LIFE COASE - Collaborative Observatory for Assessment of the EU ETS at the Florence School of Regulation. The project is co-funded by the Life programme of the European Commission and will run from 2023 to 2025. One goal of the project is to build an international network of experts in the field of emissions trading. In this podcast series the project team will interview 30 experts to highlight different aspects connected to the EU ETS and carbon markets worldwide.

Videos: This section features all videos produced during the project, including recordings of presentations, events, and other audiovisual materials related to the research.

Blog articles: During the project, a series of blog articles highlighting the project’s research and developments were published. A full list of these articles is available here.

Events: Throughout the project, several events were organised to present and discuss the research and its outcomes. Explore them here.

The team

Group members

No cover image

EU Emissions Trading System Permit Transfer indicators

This dataset contains five indicators that describe permit transfers in the EU emissions trading system. The indicators estimated are net entries, net free allowances, financial actors, compliance transfer ratio, and total compliance transfer ratio. Focusing on the publicly available Union Registry data, the aim of these indicators is to detect structural changes within the EU ETS. The objective of the indicators is also to provide insights into the entities regulated and/or actively trading in the EU ETS.

Read more EU Emissions Trading System Permit Transfer indicators
No cover image

Podcast episode: Decarbonising the non-ferrous metals industry with Adina Georgescu

What will it take to decarbonise Europe’s non-ferrous metals industry?
In this episode of the Radio Coase, the podcast series of the LIFE COASE project, Adina Georgescu (Eurometaux) explores the sector’s progress, challenges ahead, and the policy tools needed for a competitive, low-carbon future.

Read more Podcast episode: Decarbonising the non-ferrous metals industry with Adina Georgescu
No cover image

Blog article: Looking beyond the decarbonization-competitiveness dilemma

This blog post explores the conditions under which cutting emissions can enhance competitiveness rather than undermine it, with a particular focus on technological and policy conditions.

Read more Blog article: Looking beyond the decarbonization-competitiveness dilemma
Go back to top of the page