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Council of the European Union      18/10/2017 E Extending current aviation rules in the EU's emissions trading system - provisional deal reached On 18 October, the Estonian Presidency reached a provisional agreement with European Parliament representatives on a regulation to extend existing provisions covering  aviation activities in the EU emissions trading system (ETS) regulation beyond 2016 and to prepare for the implementation of the global market-basedmeasure as of 2021. The provisional text will be submitted to the EU ambassadors for political endorsement. This new regulation is the follow up to the decision reached in October 2016 by the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) to introduce a global market-based measure from 2021 in order to regulate international aviation emissions through an offsetting system, also referred to as CORSIA (Carbon Offsetting and Reduction Scheme for International Aviation). The EU supports this measure and aims to join the 'pilot' phase of the scheme in 2021 on a voluntary basis. In the meantime, the adoption of this new regulation before the end of the year is an indispensable requirement to avoid any legal gap as regards compliance with the current ETS regulation in 2017. Today's agreement enables this adoption to happen on time. The dates for reporting and surrendering allowances from emissions in 2017 would be 31 March and 30 April 2018 respectively. "The EU believes all flights must contribute to cutting greenhouse emissions. We fully support ongoing ICAO negotiations for the development of comprehensive and unified international rules to turn this into a reality. In the meantime adopting this regulation is crucial. We will provide legal certainty to aircraft operators and make sure European flights keep cutting emissions beyond 2016." Siim Kiisler, Minister for the Environment of the Republic of Estonia The main elements of the provisional agreement are as follows: maintain current limitations within the scope of the EU ETS, particularly by prolonging the derogation for non-intra European Economic Area (EEA) flights until 31 December 2023, when the 'first' phase of CORSIA will begin; establish provisions for a review once all ICAO decisions have been taken on the implementation of the global market-based measure within the EU, particularly concerning how to incorporate this measure into the ETS directive; subject to this review, foresee the application of the Linear Reduction Factor,as set out in the ETS directive, to the aviation sector from 2021 onwards. A statement was also issued emphasising the need for ICAO to act in full transparency and to reach out to all stakeholders to inform them about the progress and decisions in a timely manner. In addition, the Parliament and the Council have agreed safeguard measures to preserve the integrity of the EU ETS in case that obligations of aviation operators and other operators from a member state cease. Timeline and next steps The Commission submitted its proposal on 3 February 2017 and presented it to the Environment Council on 28 February. On 21 June, EU ambassadors agreed on the Council mandate for negotiations with the European Parliament. The latter voted during the plenary of 13 September. Subsequently, both co-legislators attended a first trilogue meeting on 25 September. Once the deal is approved by EU ambassadors, the Parliament and the Council will be called on to adopt the new regulation at first reading. Thereafter, it will enter into force on the day of its publication in the official journal. ETS and ICAO - background The emissions trading scheme (ETS) was launched in 2005 to promote the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions at EU level. The aviation sector is part of the existing ETS regulation. Emissions from aviation also form part of the EU's goal of cutting greenhouse gas emissions by 20% by 2020 compared to 1990 levels. In 2014, the EU decided to reduce the scope of the ETS scheme to apply only to intra-EEA flights, in order to facilitate progress in the negotiations within the ICAO, and in the hope of achieving clarity regarding emissions from international flights connecting the EEA and third countries. It was then decided that the derogation for non-intra EEA flights would apply only until the end of 2016. The ETS reform is currently under negotiation for the 2021-2030 period. A review of the reform is planned for when ICAO legal obligations with regard to the implementation of the global market-based measure become clear. Consistency will also be ensured with the EU's commitment under the Paris Agreement to reduce emissions by at least 40% by 2030 compared to 1990 levels. The ICAO global market-based measure aims to slow the growth of greenhouse gas emissions in the aviation sector and keep emissions at the same level from 2020 onwards. The application of the measure will become compulsory for major aviation countries in 2027, but a voluntary 'pilot' phase will be launched in 2021. Commission proposal Regulation (EU) No 421/2014 Directive 2003/87/EC ICAO Resolution A39/3 - Global Market-based Measure scheme  Reform of the EU emissions trading scheme 18/10/2017 | STATEMENTS AND REMARKS Remarks by President Donald Tusk following the tripartite social summit I cannot start our conference today without first paying tribute to the journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia, killed in a car bomb in Malta on Monday. I am convinced that the Maltese authorities will do everything in their power to investigate and bring to light all the circumstances of this hideous crime. In this extraordinary moment, we remember all the journalists who have lost their lives realising their mission. I have been a journalist myself for many years and this is why I know what you feel today. Let us observe a minute's silence for Daphne Caruana Galizia. Turning to our work today. Yet again, our Tripartite Social Summit took place in the context of positive economic news. The European economy has finally woken up. GDP growth in the European Union is above 2 per cent, unemployment has fallen to below 8 per cent. The euro area is recording its fastest growth rate since 2011. In fact, the European recovery is no longer a recovery but a European economic expansion. In short, the economic success story of 2017. It is our common task now to ensure that the benefits of economic growth are shared as widely as possible. And this is why in our meeting today we discussed, in very concrete terms, how the social partners can be better involved in national policy-making. I remain convinced that only by taking the views of social partners into account can we make real progress. This is especially important in today's digital age, where citizens, young and old, need to be equipped with the right skills to prosper. This is what I discussed not only with the social partners today but also with the European leaders at the Digital Summit in Tallinn. And at the meeting of the European Council tomorrow, the spirit of Tallinn will drive our political decisions. The leaders will also discuss migration. As you all know, the Italian government under the leadership of Prime Minister Gentiloni has effectively begun stemming the high flows on the Central Mediterranean we have witnessed since 2014. Thanks to Italy, the numbers of irregular migrants and deaths at sea are finally coming down. But we cannot only remain grateful to Italy. The European Union must now step up its efforts to help. Our Member States should be ready to commit more money to the Trust Fund for Africa. And the European Commission, which is managing this Fund, should make sure that the money is well targeted on stemming irregular migration. I will invite a frank and serious debate among the leaders, so that we sort out this problem once and for all. On Friday, the European Council will be meeting at 27 to discuss Brexit. I have worked for a balanced message to come out of this meeting. There is clearly not the "sufficient progress" that we had hoped for. So we cannot yet proceed to the second phase of negotiations. However, while progress is not sufficient, there is promising progress, especially following the speech by Prime Minister May in Florence. I will therefore recommend the EU27 to begin internal preparations for talks on the transition and the future relationship. Last night, I circulated to EU leaders a new agenda to guide the work of the European Union up to June 2019. This is the result of a full round of one-to-one consultations with leaders since our meeting in Tallinn a few weeks ago. From all quarters, there is now a new willingness to energise and enrich our work, draw on new ideas, maintain our unity and increase the dynamism of the EU. I will be calling on leaders to work together according to a strict timetable on the issues we have identified as the most pressing, from migration to EMU reform, where we are deadlocked and where the Gordian knot needs to be cut. Unity is the objective of the Leaders' Agenda. Because it is my firm belief that unity is a value in itself and that ambition should not be an excuse for division. So the starting point will always be EU27 or, where appropriate, EU28. However, unity cannot be a synonym for stagnation either. The social dimension will be an important part of this new agenda. And already in a month from now, at the Göteborg Social Summit for Fair Jobs and Growth, leaders will have the opportunity to discuss social issues. Today's summit with the social partners was an excellent beginning in this regard. Thank you. 18/10/2017 | PRESS RELEASE Tripartite social summit, 18 October 2017 in Brussels This Autumn Social Summit was devoted to "Shaping Europe's future: strengthening resilience and promoting economic and social progress for all". Three sub-themes fed into this discussion: The social dimension of Europe; The involvement of the social partners in policies and reforms at national level - progress made and ways to improve; and Investing in learning in a digital economy and society. In his statement, the President of the European Council, Donald Tusk, said that: "It is our common task now to ensure that the benefits of economic growth are shared as widely as possible. And this is why in our meeting today we discussed, in very concrete terms, how the social partners can be better involved in national policy-making. I remain convinced that only by taking the views of social partners into account can we make real progress. This is especially important in today's digital age, where citizens, young and old, need to be equipped with the right skills to prosper. Because in the digital age, the quickest way to go backward is to stand still. This is what I discussed not only with the social partners today but also with the European leaders at the Digital Summit in Tallinn. And at the meeting of the European Council tomorrow, the spirit of Tallinn will drive our political decisions." The President of the European Commission, Jean-Claude Juncker underlined: "A fair and more social Europe is key in shaping our Union's future. This is what citizens rightly expect. I want the EU to stand up for the rights of its citizens in a fast-changing world. This is what the European Pillar of Social Rights is all about. I trust that we will be able to proclaim it at the Social Summit in Gothenburg on 17 November." From the side of the rotating presidency, Estonia's Prime Minister, Jüri Ratas, said that "Less than three weeks ago I had the honour to host the first ever European Union Digital Summit in Tallinn. One of the topics was the future of the economy and society. EU leaders realise that a major shift is under way in society and that the social partners have an important role to play in this context. Indeed, their support for maintaining well-functioning EU labour market and welfare systems is vital. We already live in a digital society and we have to adapt rapidly in order to seize the economic opportunities that digitalisation presents, without leaving anybody behind. We have to provide the right skills as well as social protection to all people, whether they work in traditional companies or have cutting-edge jobs in the digital economy. The social partners have looked at these issues in depth. We are all committed to reviewing EU and national laws and policies in order to make sure they are fit for the digital age". BusinessEurope's President, Emma Marcegaglia, representing employers (BusinessEurope, CEEP, UEAPME) said “Europe is one of the best places to live, work, and do business in the world. The European project made this possible. We should take full advantage of the current momentum - with unity backing the European project and an improved economic situation - to ensure that EU and national reforms necessary to modernise European economies and societies are put in place. The renewed focus on industrial policy is an important step. We now need to feed the strategy through a structured way forward. The EU needs to become more attractive for investment and to maintain a fair and ambitious trade agenda opening new markets and creating sustainable growth and new business opportunities for enterprises of all sizes. As regards the social dimension of Europe, the key challenge is to set in motion a partnership for reforms for improved employment outcomes. The EU should act where there is a shared understanding of its added value, respecting subsidiarity and social partner autonomy.” "The European trade unions want to convince the EU member states to adopt, and the European Commission to follow up vigorously to fully implement, an ambitious and strong European Pillar of Social Rights” said Luca Visentini, General Secretary of the European Trade Union Confederation (ETUC). “We need more concrete measures to make a real difference in the lives of working people. Many working people are yet to feel any recovery, and need hard evidence that the EU is committed to social justice and social progress. The EU needs to make up for the lost years of crisis, and also to manage the changes that decarbonisation and digitalisation will bring so no worker is left behind." The views cited in this text are those of the individual / organization concerned and do not collectively constitute the point of view of the Council or the European Council.