What is the Fit-for-55?
Summary
The EU’s Fit for 55 package translates the Green Deal into law, targeting a 55% reduction in emissions by 2030. Key points: Reform of EU ETS and creation of ETS2 for buildings & transport Introduction of CBAM to prevent carbon leakage Incentives for renewables, energy efficiency, and sustainable mobility Impacts on companies, households, and investors Investment opportunities in decarbonization technologies
Fit for 55 is the EU’s climate package implementing the Green Deal, aiming for 55% emissions reduction by 2030 compared to 1990 levels.
It combines reforms of the EU ETS, the upcoming ETS2 (covering buildings and road transport), the CBAM/Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism, renewable energy and efficiency targets, and sector-specific measures. This guide explains the key measures, timeline, and impacts.
Fit for 55: Simple Definition and Green Deal Context
Fit for 55 is the set of laws under the European Green Deal that makes operational the EU’s target to reduce net greenhouse gas emissions by 55% by 2030.
It is not just a statement of intent. It’s a comprehensive climate package of 13 legislative proposals (new and revised) touching every sector of the economy. Its goal is to reshape EU climate, energy, and transport laws, paving the way for carbon neutrality by 2050.
Key components include:
- Major reforms of the carbon market (EU ETS)
- Creation of a second ETS market (ETS2) for buildings and road transport
- The Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM/MACF)
- Ambitious rules on renewable energy (RED), energy efficiency (EED), sustainable mobility (AFIR), and carbon sinks (LULUCF)
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Key Measures in the Climate Package
The Fit for 55 package is extensive. Here’s a summary of the main measures, objectives, and affected sectors:
| Measure |
What changes |
Who is affected |
Key deadlines |
| Revised ETS (EU ETS) |
Faster cap reduction, gradual phase-out of free allowances, extension to maritime transport. |
Heavy industry, energy sector, intra-EU aviation, maritime transport. |
Milestones 2024–2030 |
| ETS2 (new market) |
Carbon pricing upstream of fuels for building heating and road transport. |
Fuel suppliers (impact on households, micro and small businesses). |
2027 (planned), 2028 if energy prices are high |
| CBAM / MACF |
Carbon costs on certain imports (steel, aluminium, cement, etc.) to prevent carbon leakage. |
Importers in the targeted sectors. |
Phase-in 2023–2026 (reporting), then financial phase |
| ESR (Effort Sharing) |
Binding national reduction targets for sectors outside ETS. |
EU Member States. |
Targets 2025 / 2030 |
| LULUCF (Carbon sinks) |
Strengthened preservation and enhancement of natural sinks (forests, soils). |
Member States, forestry and agricultural management. |
Targets 2030 |
| RED, EED, AFIR, ReFuel/FuelEU |
Enhanced targets for renewables, energy efficiency, EV charging infrastructure, and sustainable fuels (aviation/maritime). |
Dedicated sectors (energy, building, transport). |
2025–2035 |
| Energy Taxation (ETD) |
Revision to align taxation of energy products with climate targets (under negotiation). |
Member States, energy suppliers. |
TBC |
[For official details, see the European Commission and Council pages.]
How Carbon Prices Are Formed in ETS and ETS2
ETS1 (Industry & Power)
Carbon prices on the ETS/ EU ETS market are fully market-driven, determined by supply and demand:
- Supply: Set by the EU as a declining cap of emission allowances. Fit for 55 accelerates this decline. The Market Stability Reserve (MSR) also adjusts supply to avoid surpluses.
- Demand: Comes from energy producers and industrial companies needing allowances for their emissions. It depends on economic activity, weather (e.g., a cold winter), and low-carbon technology costs.
By reducing supply faster, Fit for 55 is designed to push carbon prices higher in the medium and long term, reinforcing the incentive to invest in decarbonization.
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ETS2 (Buildings & Road Transport)
ETS2 will work similarly (cap & price) but upstream, targeting fuel suppliers for heating and transport.
To protect vulnerable households, a Social Climate Fund will be financed from ETS2 revenues. A price stabilization mechanism is planned if ETS2 allowances exceed €45.
[-> Read our detailed EU ETS carbon market analysis]
Timeline of Fit for 55 (Key Milestones)
Fit for 55 is deployed gradually to allow sectors to adapt. Most texts were adopted between 2023 and 2024, with ETS2 launching in 2027 (possibly 2028). Key milestones include:
- CBAM transitional phase: October 2023
- Gradual removal of free ETS allowances for CBAM sectors: 2026–2034
- Achieve 55% emission reduction by 2030, in preparation for net-zero by 2050
Impacts on Businesses, Households, and Investors
Impact on Companies
- Carbon-intensive industries: ETS ceilings decrease rapidly, raising carbon costs. Gradual removal of free allowances between 2026–2034 forces full carbon cost integration.
- SMEs & energy suppliers: ETS2 requires fuel suppliers to purchase allowances from 2027, increasing operational costs for gas/oil heating and transport-intensive businesses.
- Importers: CBAM introduces new reporting obligations and the need to purchase certificates aligned with the EU carbon price.
- Investment opportunities: Decarbonization technologies, renewables, energy efficiency, electric mobility, green hydrogen, carbon capture, and circular economy solutions.
Impact on Households
- Energy bills: ETS2 will directly affect heating and fuel costs. A typical family could see an annual increase of €150–€200 from 2027.
- Social Climate Fund: Around €65B (2026–2032), supplemented by member states, will support vulnerable households and micro-enterprises with energy renovation, EV subsidies, and direct compensation.
- Air quality & health: Reduced GHG emissions improve long-term air quality and public health.
Impact on Investors
Fit for 55 reshapes European investments:
- Creates a regulatory tailwind for green technologies
- Increases risk for carbon-intensive assets
- Investors should factor carbon pricing into valuations and prioritize companies aligned with 2030 decarbonization pathways
- Key sectors: renewables, energy efficiency, sustainable mobility, circular economy, green hydrogen, carbon capture technologies
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Fit for 55 FAQ
Q: What is Fit for 55?
A: It’s the EU legislative package implementing the Green Deal, targeting a 55% emissions reduction by 2030.
Q: What are its main measures?
A: ETS reform, ETS2, CBAM/MACF, ESR, LULUCF, RED/EED, AFIR, ReFuelEU Aviation, FuelEU Maritime.
Q: How does it differ from the Green Deal?
A: The Green Deal is the EU’s overall climate strategy for carbon neutrality by 2050. Fit for 55 is the concrete set of laws implementing the 2030 target.
Q: What is ETS2?
A: A second carbon market covering buildings and road transport, upstream on fuel suppliers, starting 2027.
Q: What is CBAM/MACF?
A: The Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism prices carbon on certain imports to prevent carbon leakage and ensure fair competition for EU producers. Covered sectors: cement, steel, aluminum, fertilizers, electricity, hydrogen.
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