This Week in Construction & Housing — Brussels (#12, 2026)
Commission proposes EU ETS Market Stability Reserve amendment; ECON draft opinion on cohesion fund 2028-2034; CONT delegation reviews Malta EU funds.
March 29, 2026 to April 04, 2026
Commission proposes EU ETS Market Stability Reserve amendment; ECON draft opinion on cohesion fund 2028-2034; CONT delegation reviews Malta EU funds.
📋 In This Week's Newsletter
• 🇪🇺 European Commission
• 🤝 EU Council
• ✒️ EP Committee Work
• 📚 What We're Reading This Week
European Commission
Commission Proposes Amendment to Market Stability Reserve in EU ETS
On 31 March 2026, the European Commission announced a proposal to amend the Market Stability Reserve (MSR) mechanism under the EU Emissions Trading System (EU ETS). The amendment would end the current rule invalidating allowances in the reserve above 400 million, allowing these to be maintained as a buffer for market stability. The MSR, operational since 2019, was introduced to address the structural surplus of allowances and restore market confidence. The Commission cited recent energy market volatility and geopolitical tensions as drivers for a more robust and predictable ETS. According to Commissioner Wopke Hoekstra, the proposal aims to ensure the ETS continues to support decarbonisation and clean investment. The amendment will proceed through the ordinary legislative procedure in Parliament and Council. A comprehensive review of the EU ETS is scheduled for July 2026.
EU Council
Upcoming Informal Meeting of Transport Ministers
The Transport, Telecommunications and Energy Council will hold an informal meeting of transport ministers on 28 April 2026.
EP Committee Work
ECON Draft Opinion on Cohesion, Agriculture, and Security Fund 2028-2034
On 30 March 2026, the Committee on Economic and Monetary Affairs (ECON) published its draft opinion on the proposal for a regulation establishing the European Fund for economic, social and territorial cohesion, agriculture and rural, fisheries and maritime, prosperity and security for 2028-2034, amending Regulation (EU) 2023/955 and Regulation (EU, Euratom) 2024/2509. The rapporteur is Thomas Bajada.
CONT Delegation Assesses EU Fund Implementation in Malta
The Committee on Budgetary Control (CONT) concluded a visit to Malta, meeting the Minister for European Funds, the EU Programmes Agency, and the Internal Audit and Investigations Department. The delegation, led by Tomáš Zdechovský, reviewed the implementation of EU funds and oversight mechanisms, and discussed the functioning of the EU Agency for Asylum (EUAA) with national and agency representatives.
What We're Reading This Week
- Study on DPP content for iron and steel products under ESPR: New research outlines requirements for Digital Product Passport (DPP) data in iron and steel products under upcoming ESPR regulations.
- Is Portugal heading into a mortgage crisis?: Rising interest rates and household debt are fueling concerns about widespread mortgage defaults in Portugal's housing market.
- From cold countries to old buildings: How well do heat pumps work?: New research and real-world trials reveal heat pumps can effectively heat colder climates and retrofitted older buildings.
- Video. Paris catacombs to reopen in 2026 after major safety renovation: Paris plans to welcome visitors back to its historic catacombs in 2026 following extensive safety upgrades.
