Brussels proposes Industrial Emissions Directive updates

The European Commission has proposed a number of updates to the Industrial Emissions Directive in a move that it says will "advance progress towards 'a zero-pollution, competitive, climate-neutral economy by 2050".

The proposed updates are necessary, Brussels says, to bring the Directive into line with the objectives of the European Green Deal. The revised rules also aim to accelerate the uptake of emerging greener, more efficient technologies that are set to enter the market over the coming years and decades.

Read more: How close is France to its climate goals?

The EU executive says the changes to the Directive will spur innovation, reward frontrunners, and help level the market playing field. 

"These new rules will enable large industrial plants and intensive livestock farming to play their part in achieving the objective of the European Green Deal and its zero-pollution ambition," said Environment Commissioner Virginijus Sinkevicius.

"Solely from action on livestock farms, benefits to human health would amount to at least €5.5 billion per year."

At present, the Industrial Emissions Directive covers around 50,000 large industrial facilities and intensive livestock farms which account for more than half of emissions across the EU. Each of these farms and facilities must comply with emissions regulations and apply "Best Available Techniques", which are determined jointly by industry players, national and Commission experts and civil society. 

The proposed new rules would cover more "relevant" emissions sources, streamline the permitting process, cut costs of administration, and provide further support to breakthrough technologies.

The new rules will also cover more installations, in particular, large-scale intensive livestock farms, mineral and metals extraction and large-scale battery production.

Read more: ETC outlines actions needed for Paris Agreement goals

Also, the current European Pollutant Release and Transfer Register will be redesigned into an EU Industrial Emissions Portal, where citizens can access data on permits anywhere in the bloc.

- See the full set of Industrial Emissions Directive proposals.

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