LIFE ENSPIRE project

“Exploring New Scenarios for the Progressive Integration of Neighbouring States into the EU ETS beyond 2050”

The primary objective of the project is to enhance comprehension of the challenges that evolving European climate and energy policies will pose for the EU and neighbouring countries up to 2050 and beyond. Moreover, the project seeks to contribute to the development of the capacity of non-EU countries to formulate internal climate and energy policies that are aligned with EU trends. This support is intended to facilitate the anticipated convergence of these countries prior to their accession to the EU or the strengthening of their ties with EU Member States. The project will concentrate on the impact of EU ETS reforms on both EU Member States and neighbouring countries. On a global scale, the project is set to enhance climate ambition in the EU and its neighbouring countries, thereby facilitating the fulfilment of international commitments. At national level, the project will contribute to the enhancement of understanding of the EU Emissions Trading Scheme (EU ETS) and the cultivation of interest in carbon markets as instruments to support decarbonisation and low-carbon development among stakeholders in all beneficiary countries. The long-term outcomes of the project are expected to be the establishment of broader and more robust international networks of experts and the dissemination of knowledge, as well as increased policy support for carbon markets. Furthermore, it is anticipated that additional technical aspects, including forecasting, monitoring and evaluation of policies and measures, will be addressed.

The specific objectives of the project are as follows:

• The development and provision of high-quality, relevant, and accessible information and data is to be undertaken for the European Commission, European and public administrations, policymakers, NGOs, private actors, and the public in the EU’s neighbouring countries. The process will be informed by analyses of sectoral and macroeconomic models.

• The establishment of extensive and robust international networks of experts is imperative for the exchange and dissemination of superior information and data concerning the EU ETS assessment. This initiative will facilitate the cultivation of political support for the EU ETS and analogous carbon pricing mechanisms, including CBAM.

• The primary objective of this project is to enhance the environmental awareness of the general public in the designated study countries. This objective will be realised through the extensive dissemination of high-quality information and data, as well as the replication of project results. It is anticipated that these measures will engender a more profound comprehension of the EU ETS design mechanisms and the system’s evolution. Furthermore, the objective of the project is to encourage the introduction of supplementary carbon pricing policies and markets.