This Week in Environment — Brussels (#18, 2026)
EU adopts Regulation (EU) 2026/1030 on GHG accounting for transport; Commission updates EU ETS benchmarks; State aid approved for Spanish flood-affected farmers; fisheries rules amended.
May 10, 2026 to May 16, 2026
EU adopts Regulation (EU) 2026/1030 on GHG accounting for transport; Commission updates EU ETS benchmarks; State aid approved for Spanish flood-affected farmers; fisheries rules amended.
📋 In This Week's Newsletter
• 🇪🇺 European Commission
• ⚖️ EU Legislation
• 🤝 EU Council
• ✒️ EP Committee Work
• 📚 What We're Reading This Week
European Commission
Commission presents updated EU Emissions Trading System benchmarks for consultation
The European Commission has proposed updated EU Emissions Trading System (EU ETS) benchmark values for the period 2026–2030, now open for public and Member State consultation. The updated benchmarks, required under the ETS Directive, determine the level of free allocation of allowances for European industry, with an average 75% of emissions continuing to receive free allocation. The proposal maintains coverage of indirect emissions from electricity use in 14 product benchmarks, resulting in higher benchmark values with a financial impact of approximately €4 billion for 2026–2030. The Commission has also announced plans to introduce sector-specific fallback benchmarks as part of the upcoming EU ETS revision. The public consultation will last four weeks, followed by scrutiny in the Climate Change Committee, with adoption expected by end of June.
Commission approves €1.5 billion State aid scheme for Spanish farmers affected by floods
The European Commission has approved a €1.5 billion Spanish State aid scheme under Article 107(2)(b) TFEU and the 2022 Agricultural Guidelines to support farmers impacted by adverse meteorological events between November 2025 and February 2026 in Andalusia and Extremadura. The scheme provides direct grants covering up to 100% of eligible costs, including material damage and loss of income from the destruction of crops and assets. The aid aims to restore production capacity and prevent farm closures, and will be available until 31 December 2026. The scheme was assessed for compliance with EU State aid rules and the Spanish authorities demonstrated a direct causal link between the floods and the agricultural damage.
Commission invites comments on draft revised State aid rules for air transport
The European Commission has launched a public consultation on its draft revised Guidelines on State aid to the air transport sector, set to replace the 2014 Aviation Guidelines. The revision reflects developments in the sector, ambitious decarbonisation targets, and recent crises. Notable changes include block exemption of operating aid for airports with up to 500,000 passengers and a transitional five-year allowance for airports with up to one million passengers. The draft also proposes to discontinue start-up aid for new routes and to introduce green conditionality for investment aid to airports. Adoption of the revised Guidelines is planned for Q1 2027.
Commission greenlights Romania's fourth payment request under NextGenerationEU
The European Commission has issued a positive preliminary assessment of Romania’s fourth payment request under the Recovery and Resilience Facility (RRF), amounting to €2.62 billion. The funds support sustainable forest management, decarbonisation of transport and energy sectors, tax reform, and social infrastructure. The Commission found Romania had satisfactorily completed 38 milestones and 24 targets tied to this payment. The Economic and Financial Committee will review the assessment within four weeks before the Commission finalises the payment decision.
Commission simplifies Europe-wide travel booking and train travel
The European Commission has adopted proposals to enable seamless booking and ticketing for regional, long-distance, and cross-border travel, especially rail, across the EU. The package requires ticketing platforms and operators to ensure fair and non-discriminatory access to ticket sales and to display offers neutrally, including by greenhouse gas emissions where feasible. Passengers on multi-operator rail journeys with single tickets will benefit from enhanced passenger rights. The proposed regulations will be submitted to the Council and European Parliament for ordinary legislative procedure.
EU Legislation (Official Journal)
Regulation (EU) 2026/1030 on GHG emissions accounting of transport services adopted
Regulation (EU) 2026/1030, published in the Official Journal on 12 May 2026, establishes harmonised rules for greenhouse gas emissions accounting of transport services starting or ending in the Union. The Regulation applies to transport operators, organisers, hub operators, data intermediaries, and calculation tool developers, requiring the use of EN ISO 14083:2023 as the common methodology. Obligations include prioritising primary data, using EU and certified third-party databases, and disclosing GHG output data with verification requirements. The Regulation enters into force on 1 June 2026 and applies from 2 December 2030.
Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2026/497 amends bluefin tuna management rules
Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2026/497 of 4 March 2026 amends Regulation (EU) 2023/2053 regarding management of bluefin tuna in the eastern Atlantic and Mediterranean. The regulation incorporates ICCAT Recommendation 25-04, revises quota carry-over provisions, modifies purse seine fishing seasons, and updates standards for video recording procedures. The amendments enter into force the day after publication.
Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/1026 extends Spanish fisheries derogation
Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/1026 extends the derogation from Council Regulation (EC) No 1967/2006 for boat seines fishing for transparent and Ferrer’s gobies and Lowbody picarel in the Balearic Islands. The derogation applies from 1 May 2026 to 30 April 2029, following positive assessment by the Scientific, Technical and Economic Committee for Fisheries and compliance with conservation requirements.
Commission Implementing Decision (EU) 2026/1023 establishes staff exchange programme on official controls
Commission Implementing Decision (EU) 2026/1023, adopted 8 May 2026, creates a programme for the exchange of staff among Member State authorities responsible for official controls on animals and goods entering the Union. The programme, operating for three years, aims to enhance the consistency and efficiency of official controls by sharing best practices and facilitating cooperation.
Council Decision (EU) 2026/1067 sets EU position for IMO MEPC 84
Council Decision (EU) 2026/1067 of 27 April 2026 establishes the Union’s position for the 84th session of the Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC) of the International Maritime Organization. The Decision supports the IMO Net-Zero Framework and related amendments to MARPOL Annex VI on the reduction of GHG emissions from ships, aligning with EU law including Regulations (EU) 2015/757 and 2023/1805.
EU Council
Upcoming Agriculture and Fisheries Council to discuss fertiliser availability and trade
Agriculture ministers will meet on 26 May 2026 to exchange views on the availability and affordability of fertilisers in the EU and discuss trade-related agricultural issues.
EP Committee Work
TRAN Committee draft report on clean corporate vehicles regulation
The Committee on Transport and Tourism (TRAN) published a draft report on the proposal for a regulation on clean corporate vehicles. Rapporteur Tiemo Wölken leads the report, which addresses regulatory standards for corporate fleet decarbonisation.
TRAN Committee draft opinion on CO2 standards for new light duty vehicles
The Committee on Transport and Tourism (TRAN) released a draft opinion on the proposal to amend Regulation (EU) 2019/631 regarding CO2 emission performance standards and vehicle labelling for new light duty vehicles. The draft opinion is authored by rapporteur Jens Gieseke.
REGI Committee draft report on European Fund for 2028–2034
The Committee on Regional Development (REGI) published a draft report on the proposal to establish the European Fund for economic, social and territorial cohesion, agriculture and rural, fisheries and maritime, prosperity and security for 2028–2034. Andrey Novakov is the rapporteur.
What We're Reading This Week
- Business jet use soars while jet fuel worries grow: Private jet flights hit new highs, raising concerns about rising demand for jet fuel and its environmental impact.
