{
    "title": "EU plans bigger carbon permit buffer to steady energy prices",
    "modified_at": "2026-04-01 13:00:23",
    "published_at": "2026-04-01 13:08:00",
    "url": "https://www.belganewsagency.eu/eu-plans-bigger-carbon-permit-buffer-to-steady-energy-prices",
    "short_url": "http://prez.ly/qeAd",
    "culture": "en_BE",
    "language": "EN",
    "slug": "eu-plans-bigger-carbon-permit-buffer-to-steady-energy-prices",
    "body": "<p style=\"text-align: left\"><strong>The European Commission has proposed changes to its carbon market rules to help keep energy prices more stable and support heavy industry.</strong></p><p style=\"text-align: left\">The plan would allow the EU to hold a larger reserve of carbon permits, known as emissions allowances, instead of cancelling them when they exceed a set limit. Officials say this will help prevent sharp rises in the cost of pollution, which can push up energy prices.</p><p style=\"text-align: left\">Under the EU&rsquo;s Emissions Trading System (ETS), sectors such as power generation, oil refining and steel must buy permits to cover their greenhouse gas emissions. The scheme has been central to Europe&rsquo;s efforts to cut fossil fuel use and reach climate neutrality by 2050.</p><p style=\"text-align: left\">Since 2019, the system has included a Market Stability Reserve (MSR), which adjusts supply. It removes permits when there are too many on the market and releases them when there are too few, helping to balance prices.</p><p style=\"text-align: left\">At present, any permits in the reserve above 400 million are automatically cancelled. The Commission now wants to scrap that rule in order to keep more permits in reserve as a buffer to manage future shortages.</p><p style=\"text-align: left\">The move comes as the EU faces volatile energy prices and geopolitical pressures. By strengthening the reserve, the Commission aims to make the carbon market more predictable while easing pressure on energy-intensive industries.</p><p style=\"text-align: left\">The proposal will now be discussed by the European Parliament and EU member states. It is expected to be followed by a broader reform of the ETS later in 2026.</p><p style=\"text-align: left\">While the Commission says the system remains key to cutting emissions, some critics warn the changes could weaken climate ambition by allowing more pollution if extra permits are released.</p><p style=\"text-align: left\">&nbsp;</p><p style=\"text-align: left\"><sup>&copy; BELGA PHOTO KURT DESPLENTER</sup></p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>&nbsp;</p>",
    "header": {
        "large": "https://cdn.uc.assets.prezly.com/7774eb2e-cdcf-450b-9abf-9a5269608b0d/-/preview/1200x1200/-/format/auto/",
        "release": "https://cdn.uc.assets.prezly.com/7774eb2e-cdcf-450b-9abf-9a5269608b0d/-/preview/1200x1200/-/format/auto/"
    },
    "author": {
        "id": 13157,
        "username": "flandersnewsservice@belga.be",
        "email": "flandersnewsservice@belga.be",
        "name": "Flanders News Service",
        "display_name": "Flanders News Service",
        "first_name": "Flanders",
        "last_name": "News Service",
        "avatar_url": "https://avatars-cdn.prezly.com/user/13157/69f371ab31b347cb78f9906e8c29e3b47a414d7f2677023e2b986536b7e2fb63?v=3&c=b5b1d68b126b01edabbdb2702e4d29bfcb2be610efa7239d890966c0c3e03731&max=2",
        "use_case_answer": "skip",
        "sign_in_flow": "password",
        "created_at": "2022-03-07T09:25:52+00:00",
        "is_terms_of_service_accepted": true,
        "last_seen_at": "2026-04-05T16:13:58+00:00",
        "locked_until": null
    },
    "format_version": 5
}