The report provides a Peer review of the study “Ex-post Investigation of Cost Pass-Though in the EU ETS: an analysis of six sectors” produced by CE-Delft and Oeko Institut and published by the EU Commission in November 2015, which investigates carbon costs pass-through across iron and steel, refineries, cement, organic basic chemicals, fertilizer, and glass. The peer review, which has looked at relevant sections for refineries and organic basic chemicals, demonstrates why the results produced by CE DELFT for these two sectors cannot be used as direct policy recommendations.

The 6th Refining Forum recognises the economic and social value of the European refining sector and calls for a continued review of the Fitness Check and its use in the dialogue on the impact of legislation.

Brussels, 18 November 2015: FuelsEurope welcomes the first State of the Energy Union, as an important instrument to identify progress made and next steps for the achievement of the objectives of the Energy Union, but regrets that the key role of petroleum products is neglected in the report.   

FuelsEurope welcomes the first State of the Energy Union, as an important instrument to identify progress made and next steps for the achievement of the objectives of the Energy Union,

FuelsEurope welcomes in particular the renewed focus on energy efficiency and innovation, and the respective accompanying measures to help investors access financial resources.

John Cooper, Director General FuelsEurope, commented “we regret however that both the energy security and the “decarbonisation of the economy” dimensions once again neglect to consider the key role of petroleum products, as stated in the Commission's 2014 Communication on the European Energy Security Strategy, which recognized the importance to maintain competitive refining capacities in Europe in order to avoid overdependence on imported refined petroleum products”.

As Commissioner Arias Cañete replied In June 2015 to a written question by MEP Elisabetta Gardini, the EU refining industry has some of the most energy efficient and innovative refineries in the world, and has invested significantly to “meet the expectations of continued high demand for middle distillates, especially road diesel, at least in the few years to come”. He also stated that “supporting the efforts of the EUs refining industry to be efficient and innovative provide added value and can contribute to meet our strong climate and environmental objectives while at the same time safeguarding the competitiveness of refineries in the EU”.

With respect to two other most important issues covered in the State of the Energy Union, the Paris Climate Conference (COP21) and the carbon leakage rules to safeguard the international competitiveness of the EU industry, John Cooper mentioned “we would like to share our views as reported in FuelsEurope Position Paper on Climate Change (http://bit.ly/1MUyE3q ) and Position on the revision of the ETS Directive” (http://bit.ly/1Qu33wa ).

In conclusion, FuelsEurope confirms its support to the process of the Energy Union and will keep contributing to the policy debate underlining the importance of the oil refining industry for the European security of energy supply and for a reduction of GHG emissions which does not undermine the international competitiveness of the EU industrial supply chain.

FuelsEurope calls for an effective global agreement at COP21 and in support of the conference objectives launches its Save More than Fuel campaign, promoting efficient driving behavior to reduce emissions.

Open Statement to the European Commission

During the 5th Refining Forum the Commission concluded that the Refining Fitness Check shows the impact of EU legislation on EU refining industry.