A cross-party group of MEPs has asked the European Commission whether its upcoming Emissions Trading System (ETS) benchmark update proposal fulfils the commitment made by Commission President Ursula von der Leyen to address industry concerns and introduce an 'ETS investment booster'. The written question, submitted on 16 April 2026, highlights the urgency of updating benchmarks amid a growing energy crisis and insufficient infrastructure for the energy transition.
The question, signed by Elisabetta Gualmini (Renew, Italy), Giorgio Gori (S&D, Italy), Stefano Bonaccini (S&D, Italy), Letizia Moratti (PPE, Italy), Susana Solís Pérez (PPE, Spain), and Vicent Marzà Ibáñez (Verts/ALE, Spain), was tabled under Rule 144 of the European Parliament's rules of procedure. It references President von der Leyen's commitment ahead of the 19-20 March 2026 European Council meeting to update ETS benchmarks and create an investment booster.
The MEPs' question contains a concrete ask: whether the forthcoming proposal delivers on that promise. It does not specify numerical targets or deadlines but frames the issue as one of utmost importance and urgency due to the energy crisis and transition challenges.
Policy orientation: The MEPs advocate for a more ambitious and responsive ETS benchmark update that supports industry during the energy transition, implying a need for higher benchmarks or more generous free allocation to prevent carbon leakage and maintain competitiveness. This reflects a cleavage between industrial competitiveness and environmental ambition, with the MEPs pushing for a balance that favours industry support.
The Commission is expected to reply within approximately six weeks. Its answer will signal whether it intends to strengthen or dilute the ETS benchmarks, affecting EU producers (especially energy-intensive industries), EU consumers (via energy prices), national authorities (implementation burden), and environmental NGOs (concerned about climate ambition).