2010 a 2015 política governamental: emissões de gases de efeito estufa Esta é uma cópia de um documento que declarou uma política de 2010 a 2015 Conservador e liberal democrata governo de coalizão. O URL anterior desta página foi gov. ukgovernmentpoliciesreducing-the-uk-s-emissões de gases de efeito estufa-by-80-by-2050. As políticas atuais podem ser encontradas na lista de políticas GOV. UK. A Lei das Alterações Climáticas de 2008 estabeleceu o primeiro objectivo juridicamente vinculativo das alterações climáticas. Nosso objetivo é reduzir as emissões de gases de efeito estufa do Reino Unido em pelo menos 80 (a partir da linha de base de 1990) até 2050. Estamos tentando alcançar essa redução através de ações no país e no exterior. A transição para uma economia mais eficiente em termos energéticos e com baixas emissões de carbono ajudará a atingir este objectivo. Também ajudará o Reino Unido a tornar-se menos dependente de combustíveis fósseis importados e menos exposto a preços de energia mais elevados no futuro. Estabelecer uma política e uma estratégia nacionais Para garantir que as políticas governamentais do Reino Unido contribuam eficazmente para os nossos objectivos de redução dos gases com efeito de estufa, foram: a fixação de orçamentos de carbono para limitar a quantidade de gases com efeito de estufa que o Reino Unido pode emitir ao longo de um período especificado, (ETS) da UE para fornecer uma proporção significativa das reduções das emissões de carbono do Reino Unido entre 2013 e 2020, utilizando um conjunto de valores para o carbono, para garantir que os projectos e As avaliações de políticas contabilizam os impactos das mudanças climáticas usando a Calculadora 2050 para permitir que os formuladores de políticas e o público explorem as diferentes opções para atingir as metas de redução de emissões de 2050 Reduzir a demanda por energia e ajudar as pessoas e as empresas a usar energia de forma mais eficiente Podemos alcançar reduções significativas Nas emissões de gases com efeito de estufa do Reino Unido se as empresas, o sector Reduzem a sua procura de energia. Foram: a redução da procura de energia com medidores inteligentes e outras medidas de eficiência energética para a indústria, as empresas e o sector público, reduzindo as emissões, melhorando a eficiência energética das propriedades através do Green Deal, incentivando as organizações dos sectores público e privado a assumirem, Através do Sistema de Eficiência Energética do CRC, reduzindo os gases com efeito de estufa e outras emissões dos transportes, reduzindo as emissões de gases com efeito de estufa da agricultura. Investir em tecnologias com baixo teor de carbono Tecnologias de baixo carbono contribuirão de forma significativa para os nossos objectivos de redução de gases com efeito de estufa. Foram tomadas medidas para aumentar a utilização de tecnologias com baixas emissões de carbono e criar uma indústria para a captura e armazenagem de carbono, reduzindo as emissões do sector energético e incentivando o investimento em tecnologias com baixo teor de carbono através da reforma do mercado de electricidade no Reino Unido, Em tecnologias com baixo teor de carbono de 2011 a 2015 Comunicação pública de emissões de carbono das empresas e do setor público A divulgação pública de emissões de carbono ajuda a incentivar as organizações a tornarem-se mais eficientes em termos energéticos e permite avaliar os progressos realizados. Foram: Tomando medidas internacionais Antecedentes Em dezembro de 2011, publicamos o Plano de Carbono. Que estabelece as nossas propostas para alcançar as reduções de emissões comprometidas nos primeiros 4 orçamentos de carbono. Isso ajudará o Reino Unido a atingir seu objetivo de 2050. Projetos de lei e legislação A Climate Change Act 2008 estabelece os objetivos do Reino Unido legalmente obrigatórios. O objectivo é: melhorar a gestão do carbono e ajudar na transição para uma economia hipocarbónica no Reino Unido. O Reino Unido está empenhado em assumir a sua quota de responsabilidade pela redução das emissões globais de gases com efeito de estufa através do desenvolvimento de negociações sobre um acordo internacional sobre alterações climáticas pós-2012. Trabalhando com a Comissão de Mudanças Climáticas (CCC) é um perito, independente, órgão público estatutário criado pela Climate Change Act 2008 para avaliar como o Reino Unido pode melhor atingir suas metas de redução de emissões para 2020 e 2050. Ele também avalia o progresso do Reino Unido Sobre o cumprimento dos orçamentos estatutários de carbono. Apêndice 1: redução das emissões de gases com efeito de estufa da agricultura Esta foi uma página de apoio do principal documento de política. A agricultura causa 9 das emissões de gases de efeito estufa do Reino Unido (GEE). Este é constituído por: óxido nitroso (cerca de 55), que é produzido pelo uso de fertilizantes sintéticos e orgânicos metano (cerca de 36), que é criado através dos processos de digestão em animais de criação e da produção e utilização de chorume e chorume de carbono (Cerca de 9) da energia utilizada para combustível e aquecimento Como a Inglaterra está a reduzir as emissões da agricultura Em Inglaterra, o sector agrícola está a adoptar práticas rentáveis para tornar as empresas agrícolas mais eficientes em termos energéticos e ajudar o Reino Unido a reduzir as emissões de GEE em 2050 até 2050 Essas práticas também tornam as empresas agrícolas mais competitivas e sustentáveis. Por exemplo, melhorar um sistema de manejo de nutrientes de fazendas por meio de alinhar de forma mais precisa os insumos de nutrientes às necessidades das culturas pode reduzir as emissões, aumentar a eficiência e economizar dinheiro. Revisão do nosso trabalho Vamos continuar a trabalhar com uma gama de partes interessadas para explorar os resultados da revisão, compartilhar evidências mais amplas e refinar a nossa abordagem existente. Administrações descentralizadas O Governo escocês desenvolveu o sítio Web Farming for a Better Climate, que oferece medidas práticas que os agricultores podem utilizar para reduzir os GEE. O Governo de Gales estabeleceu o Grupo de Mudança do Clima de Uso da Terra para considerar como a agricultura eo uso da terra rural podem reduzir a mudança climática e ajudar as pessoas a se adaptarem a ela. Irlanda do Norte O Departamento do Ambiente (DOE) publicou o plano de acção de redução das emissões de GEE da Irlanda do Norte. Que abrange as emissões do sector agrícola. Apêndice 2: Sistema de Comércio de Licenças de Emissão da UE (EU ETS) Esta foi uma página de apoio do principal documento de política. O RCLE-UE é o maior sistema multi-país e multi-sectorial de comércio de emissões de gases com efeito de estufa no mundo. É fundamental que a UE atinja o seu objectivo de redução de 20 emissões até 2020. Saiba mais sobre como funciona o ETS da UE. O ETS da UE abrange cerca de 11.000 instalações industriais intensivas em energia em toda a Europa, incluindo centrais eléctricas, refinarias e grandes fábricas. EU ETS no Reino Unido O quadro jurídico para o ETS da UE está estabelecido no: O Reino Unido tem cerca de 1.000 EU ETS participantes. O sector transaccionado, ou seja, os sectores abrangidos pelo RCLE-UE. Será responsável por mais de 50 das reduções de emissões necessárias para cumprir os objectivos do Reino Unido entre 2013 e 2020. O RCLE-UE desempenha um papel fundamental para garantir que o Reino Unido cumpra os seus orçamentos de carbono juridicamente vinculativos, o que nos ajudará a reduzir as emissões do Reino Unido para pelo menos 35 (abaixo dos níveis de 1990) em 2020 e 80 em 2050. Estes objectivos são definidos na Climate Change Act 2008. 2012 Dados de emissões verificadas do Sistema de Comércio de Licenças de Emissão da União Europeia (RCLE-UE) A partir dos dados de emissões do RCLE-UE verificados em 2 de abril de 2013, 2012, disponibilizados no Registro de Transações da União Européia (EUTL). Para o Reino Unido, o total das emissões verificadas do RCLE-UE em 2012 foi de 231,2 milhões de tCO2. O limite médio anual de Fase II para o Reino Unido é de 245,6 milhões de tCO2. A atribuição efectiva às instalações do Reino Unido abrangidas pelo RCLE-UE em 2012 foi de 229,0 tCO2. Reino Unido sobre o regime de comércio de licenças de emissão da UE. Trabalhando em parceria com as administrações descentralizadas e outros departamentos governamentais. Você pode enviar um email para o DECC com consultas relacionadas a políticas em eu. etsdecc. gsi. gov. uk A responsabilidade pela implementação e regulação do ETS da UE é geograficamente baseada em grande parte. A Agência do Ambiente (EA) é o administrador do Reino Unido eo regulador inglês para o Sistema de Comércio de Emissões da UE. A partir de 1 de Abril de 2013, os reguladores galeses estão agora a assumir a responsabilidade pelas instalações galesas. Os contatos são dados abaixo. Organismo regulador do RCLE-UE Endereço para informações Outras informações sobre o RCLE-UE Leia os nossos guias para saber mais sobre o RCLE-UE: Participar no RCLE-UE explica como funciona o ETS, subsídios, conformidade, aviação, pequenos emissores, Novos operadores EU ETS. Os mercados de leilões de carbono e os detalhes dos registros podem ser acessados aqui EU ETS. Legislação e publicações de investigação direcções governamentais eo quadro jurídico para o regime pode ser acedido aqui Estratégia e reforma do Sistema de Comércio de Emissões da UE (ETS): o futuro do Sistema - estabelece a visão dos governos do Reino Unido para o futuro do RCLE-UE e posição sobre Proposta legislativa da Comissão Europeia relativa a uma reserva de estabilidade de mercado. Apêndice 3: relatar publicamente as emissões de carbono das empresas e do sector público Esta foi uma página de apoio do principal documento de política. Fornecemos orientação para empresas e organizações sobre como medir e relatar suas emissões de gases de efeito estufa (GEE). Esta orientação destina-se a todos os tamanhos de empresas, bem como organizações públicas e do terceiro setor. Ele explica como as organizações podem medir e relatar suas emissões de GEE, bem como definir metas para reduzi-los. Também publicamos os fatores anuais de conversão de emissões de GEE. As organizações podem usá-los para ajudá-los a calcular as emissões de CO2 de informações como contas de serviços públicos, consumo de combustível e quilometragem do carro. Esses fatores estão disponíveis em uma ferramenta baseada na Web: Fatores de conversão governamentais para relatórios de empresas. Relatório corporativo obrigatório Introduzimos um regulamento em junho de 2013 que exige que todas as empresas cotadas informem sobre suas emissões de GEE. Este regulamento irá proporcionar transparência em torno de como as empresas cotadas estão a gerir as suas informações de emissões de carbono que os investidores têm vindo a pedir. Após a consulta sobre o projeto de regulamento, os ministros decidiram que o regulamento entraria em vigor em outubro de 2013 para se alinhar com as mudanças feitas no quadro corporativo de relatório. Apêndice 4: orçamentos de carbono Esta foi uma página de detalhes de apoio do principal documento de política. Um orçamento de carbono impõe uma restrição à quantidade total de gases de efeito estufa que o Reino Unido pode emitir ao longo de um período de 5 anos. O Reino Unido é o primeiro país a estabelecer orçamentos de carbono juridicamente vinculativos. Sob um sistema de orçamentos de carbono, cada tonelada de gases de efeito estufa emitidos entre agora e 2050 contará. Quando as emissões aumentam em um setor, o Reino Unido terá que alcançar quedas correspondentes em outro. Ajudando a atingir a meta de 2050 Introduzimos os orçamentos de carbono como parte da Climate Change Act 2008 para ajudar o Reino Unido a reduzir as emissões de gases de efeito estufa em pelo menos 80 até 2050. Nós estabelecemos os primeiros 4 orçamentos de carbono para o período de 2008 a 2027. Comprometemo-nos a reduzir para metade as emissões do Reino Unido em relação a 1990 durante o quarto período de orçamento de carbono (2023-2027). Cada orçamento de carbono é dividido em: o sector transaccionado, que se baseia na quota do Reino Unido no sistema de comércio de licenças de emissão da UE (EU ETS) para o período e abrange a energia e a indústria pesada o sector não transaccionado, que abrange tudo o resto, Transporte, agricultura e edifícios Especificamente, os orçamentos de carbono limitam nossas emissões de gases de efeito estufa a: 3,018 milhões de toneladas de equivalente de dióxido de carbono (MtCO2e) durante o primeiro período de carbono (2008 a 2012) 2.782 MtCO2e durante o segundo período de carbono (2013 a 2017) ) 2.544 MtCO2e ao longo do terceiro período de carbono (2018-2022) 1.950 MtCO2e ao longo do quarto período de carbono (2023 a 2027) Estes níveis foram definidos por: O Plano de Carbono O Plano de Carbono estabelece nossas políticas e propostas para atender o primeiro 4 orçamentos de carbono. Atualiza e substitui o Plano de Transição de Baixo Carbono de 2009. Atendendo aos orçamentos de carbono Nossas últimas projeções sugerem que o Reino Unido está no caminho certo para atender aos seus primeiros 3 orçamentos de carbono: Com base em nossas políticas planejadas, há um déficit esperado de 205 MtCO2e sobre o quarto orçamento de carbono. No plano de carbono, estabelecemos cenários para superar uma queda estimada de 181 MtCO2e. Nossa capacidade de atender aos orçamentos de carbono depende de ações dos departamentos que levam à redução de emissões: No entanto, todos os departamentos são responsáveis por reduzir as emissões de gases de efeito estufa A partir de seus próprios edifícios e propriedades e para avaliar o impacto do carbono de novas políticas. As ações para atender aos orçamentos de carbono são acordadas para os períodos orçamentais 1 a 3 (2008 a 2022) e detalhadas no Plano de Transição de Baixo Carbono. Essas informações nos ajudam a acompanhar o progresso e os riscos à entrega, e atua como uma referência. A Agência do Ambiente (EA) é o administrador do Reino Unido eo regulador inglês para o Sistema de Comércio de Emissões da UE. A EA pode influenciar a eficiência energética e limitar as emissões de gases com efeito de estufa através da regulação e inspecção: instalações empresariais no contexto da prevenção da poluição e aterros sanitários (aterros emitem o gás de efeito de estufa metano) A EA também está trabalhando para reduzir as emissões de gases de efeito estufa através de nossas funções regulamentares Em outras áreas de sua especialização: inundação de resíduos hídricos e gestão de riscos costeiros o sistema de planejamento Relatórios de progresso A Lei de Mudanças Climáticas de 2008 nos impõe uma obrigação legal de informar anualmente as emissões do Reino Unido eo progresso no cumprimento dos orçamentos de carbono. Dois relatórios cumprem essa obrigação: Contabilidade de carbono A contabilidade de carbono será usada para determinar o cumprimento dos orçamentos e metas de carbono. Leia mais informações sobre a contabilidade de carbono: Emissões internacionais de aviação e transporte marítimo e conta de carbono líquida no Reino Unido As emissões domésticas de aviação e transporte marítimo estão incluídas no quadro atual dos Orçamentos de Carbono. Devido às incertezas no momento em que a Lei das Alterações Climáticas foi acordada, as emissões internacionais de aviação e transporte marítimo não foram incluídas. A lei continha a exigência de que o governo reconsiderasse sua inclusão até o final de 2012, requisito que foi cumprido com a elaboração de um relatório parlamentar: os orçamentos de carbono do Reino Unido ea meta de 2050: emissões internacionais de aviação e transporte em 19 de dezembro de 2012. O governo anunciou, Que, reconhecendo a incerteza sobre o quadro internacional para a redução das emissões da aviação e, em particular, o tratamento da aviação dentro do Sistema de Comércio de Emissões da UE, adiava uma decisão firme sobre a inclusão de emissões internacionais de aviação e transporte na conta líquida de carbono do Reino Unido. (EU ETS) O sistema de comércio de emissões da UE (EU ETS) é uma pedra angular da política da UE para combater as alterações climáticas eo seu instrumento fundamental para reduzir as emissões de gases com efeito de estufa de forma rentável. É o primeiro mercado mundial de carbono e continua sendo o maior. Opera em 31 países (todos os 28 países da UE mais Islândia, Liechtenstein e Noruega) limita as emissões de mais de 11.000 instalações que utilizam energia pesada (centrais eléctricas e instalações industriais) e as companhias aéreas que operam entre estes países cobrem cerca de 45 emissões de gases com efeito de estufa da UE. Um sistema de limites máximos e de trocas comerciais O regime de comércio de licenças de emissão da UE funciona com base no princípio da limitação e do comércio. É fixado um limite para a quantidade total de determinados gases com efeito de estufa que podem ser emitidos pelas instalações abrangidas pelo sistema. A tampa é reduzida ao longo do tempo para que as emissões totais caem. Dentro do limite máximo, as empresas recebem ou compram licenças de emissão que podem negociar entre si, conforme necessário. Eles também podem comprar quantidades limitadas de créditos internacionais de projetos de poupança de emissões em todo o mundo. O limite do número total de licenças disponíveis assegura que estas tenham um valor. Depois de cada ano uma empresa deve entregar subsídios suficientes para cobrir todas as suas emissões, caso contrário pesadas multas são impostas. Se uma empresa reduz suas emissões, pode manter os subsídios de reposição para cobrir suas necessidades futuras ou então vendê-los para outra empresa que está aquém de subsídios. Trading traz flexibilidade que garante que as emissões são cortadas onde custar menos para fazê-lo. Um preço robusto do carbono também promove o investimento em tecnologias limpas e de baixo carbono. Principais características da fase 3 (2013-2020) O RCLE-UE está agora na sua terceira fase, significativamente diferente das fases 1 e 2. As principais alterações são: Um limite único, a nível da UE, sobre as emissões aplica-se ao sistema anterior de capitalizações nacionais. O leilão é o método predefinido para a atribuição de licenças de emissão (em vez da atribuição gratuita) e as regras de atribuição harmonizadas aplicam-se às licenças ainda concedidas De forma gratuita Mais sectores e gases incluíram 300 milhões de licenças reservadas na Reserva de Novos Participantes para financiar a implantação de tecnologias inovadoras de energia renovável e captura e armazenamento de carbono através do programa NER 300 Sectores e gases cobertos O sistema abrange os seguintes sectores e gases com a Centrar-se nas emissões que podem ser medidas, comunicadas e verificadas com um elevado nível de precisão: dióxido de carbono (CO 2) proveniente de sectores industriais que consomem energia e energia, incluindo refinarias de petróleo, siderurgia e produção de ferro, alumínio, metais e cimento , Cal, vidro, cerâmica, polpa, papel, cartão, ácidos e produtos químicos orgânicos a granel aviação comercial óxido nitroso (N 2 O) da produção De ácidos nítrico, adípico e glioxílico e glioxal perfluorocarbonos (PFC) da produção de alumínio A participação no RCLE-UE é obrigatória para as empresas destes sectores. Mas em alguns sectores apenas são incluídas instalações acima de um determinado tamanho certas pequenas instalações podem ser excluídas se os governos implementarem medidas fiscais ou outras que irão cortar as suas emissões por um montante equivalente no sector da aviação, até 2016 o ETS da UE se aplica apenas aos voos Entre os aeroportos situados no Espaço Económico Europeu (EEE). Realização de reduções de emissões O ETS da UE provou que a aplicação de um preço sobre o carbono eo seu comércio podem funcionar. As emissões provenientes das instalações do sistema estão a diminuir, conforme previsto, em cerca de 5 em comparação com o início da fase 3 (2013) (ver números de 2015). Em 2020. As emissões dos sectores abrangidos pelo sistema serão 21 inferiores às de 2005. Desenvolvendo o mercado de carbono Criado em 2005, o ETS da UE é o primeiro e maior sistema internacional de comércio de emissões, representando mais de três quartos do comércio internacional de carbono. O RCLE-UE também está a inspirar o desenvolvimento do comércio de emissões noutros países e regiões. A UE pretende ligar o RCLE-UE a outros sistemas compatíveis. Principais regulamentos do ETS da UE Relatórios do mercado do carbono Revisão do RCLE-UE para a fase 3 Implementação Legislative History of Directive 200387EC Trabalhos anteriores à proposta da Comissão Proposta da Comissão de Outubro de 2001 Resposta da Comissão à leitura da proposta no Conselho e Parlamento Todas as perguntas Perguntas e Respostas sobre o Sistema de Comércio de Emissões da UE (Dezembro de 2008) Qual é o objectivo do comércio de emissões O objectivo do Sistema de Comércio de Licenças de Emissão da UE (EU ETS) é ajudar os Estados - Emissões de CO2 de forma rentável. Permitir que as empresas participantes adquiram ou vendam licenças de emissão significa que os cortes de emissões podem ser alcançados a um custo mínimo. O RCLE-UE é a pedra angular da estratégia da UE para combater as alterações climáticas. É o primeiro sistema internacional de comércio de emissões de CO 2 no mundo e está em funcionamento desde 2005. A partir de 1 de Janeiro de 2008, aplica-se não só aos 27 Estados-Membros da UE, mas também aos outros três membros do Espaço Económico Europeu Noruega, Islândia e Liechtenstein. Abrange actualmente mais de 10.000 instalações nos sectores da energia e da indústria que são colectivamente responsáveis por cerca de metade das emissões de CO 2 da UE e 40 das suas emissões totais de gases com efeito de estufa. Uma alteração à Directiva relativa ao regime de comércio de licenças de emissão da UE acordada em Julho de 2008 introduzirá o sector da aviação no sistema a partir de 2012. Como funciona o comércio de direitos de emissão O RCLE-UE é um sistema de comércio máximo, ou seja, , Dentro desse limite, permite que os participantes no sistema comprem e vendam licenças conforme exigirem. Estes subsídios são a moeda de troca comum no coração do sistema. Um subsídio dá ao titular o direito de emitir uma tonelada de CO 2 ou a quantidade equivalente de outro gás com efeito de estufa. A limitação do número total de licenças cria escassez no mercado. No primeiro e no segundo períodos de comércio no âmbito do regime, os Estados-Membros tinham de elaborar planos nacionais de atribuição (PNA) que determinassem o seu nível total de emissões de gases com efeito de estufa e o número de licenças de emissão de cada instalação no seu país. No final de cada ano, as instalações devem entregar licenças equivalentes às suas emissões. As empresas que mantêm suas emissões abaixo do nível de suas licenças podem vender suas licenças excedentes. Aqueles que enfrentam dificuldades em manter as suas emissões em conformidade com os seus subsídios podem escolher entre tomar medidas para reduzir as suas próprias emissões, tais como investir em tecnologias mais eficientes ou utilizar fontes de energia menos intensivas em carbono ou comprar as licenças extras de que necessitam no mercado ou Uma combinação dos dois. Essas escolhas provavelmente serão determinadas por custos relativos. Desta forma, as emissões são reduzidas onde for mais rentável fazê-lo. Quanto tempo o sistema de comércio de licenças de emissão da UE tem estado a funcionar O regime de comércio de licenças de emissão da UE foi lançado em 1 de Janeiro de 2005. O primeiro período de comércio durou três anos até ao final de 2007 e foi uma fase de aprendizagem para preparar o segundo período de negociação crucial. O segundo período de comércio começou em 1 de Janeiro de 2008 e tem uma duração de cinco anos até ao final de 2012. A importância do segundo período de comércio decorre do facto de coincidir com o primeiro período de compromisso do Protocolo de Quioto, durante o qual a UE e outros Os países industrializados devem cumprir suas metas para limitar ou reduzir as emissões de gases de efeito estufa. Para o segundo período de comércio, as emissões do RCLE-UE foram limitadas a cerca de 6,5 abaixo dos níveis de 2005 para ajudar a garantir que a UE no seu conjunto e os Estados-Membros individualmente cumprem os seus compromissos de Quioto. Quais são as principais lições aprendidas com a experiência até agora O ETS da UE colocou um preço sobre o carbono e provou que o comércio de emissões de gases com efeito de estufa funciona. O primeiro período de comércio estabeleceu com êxito a livre negociação de licenças de emissão em toda a UE, criou a infra-estrutura necessária e desenvolveu um mercado dinâmico de carbono. O benefício ambiental da primeira fase pode ser limitado devido à atribuição excessiva de licenças de emissão em alguns Estados-Membros e em alguns sectores, devido principalmente à utilização de projecções de emissões antes da disponibilização de dados de emissões verificadas no âmbito do RCLE-UE. Quando a publicação dos dados de emissões verificadas para 2005 destacou essa sobrealocação, o mercado reagiu como seria de esperar, reduzindo o preço de mercado das licenças de emissão. A disponibilidade de dados de emissões verificadas permitiu à Comissão garantir que o limite máximo das dotações nacionais durante a segunda fase seja fixado num nível que resulte em reduções reais das emissões. Para além de sublinhar a necessidade de dados verificados, a experiência até agora demonstrou que uma maior harmonização no âmbito do RCLE-UE é imprescindível para garantir que a UE atinge os seus objectivos de redução de emissões ao menor custo e com distorções concorrenciais mínimas. A necessidade de uma maior harmonização é mais clara no que diz respeito à forma como é fixado o limite máximo das licenças de emissão globais. Os dois primeiros períodos de comércio mostram igualmente que os métodos nacionais de atribuição de licenças de emissão relativamente às instalações ameaçam a concorrência leal no mercado interno. Além disso, é necessária uma maior harmonização, clarificação e aperfeiçoamento no que se refere ao âmbito do sistema, ao acesso aos créditos de projectos de redução de emissões fora da UE, às condições de ligação do RCLE-UE aos sistemas de comércio de emissões noutros locais e ao acompanhamento, Relatórios. Quais são as principais alterações ao RCLE-UE e a partir de quando serão aplicadas? As alterações de concepção acordadas serão aplicáveis a partir do terceiro período de comércio, ou seja, Janeiro de 2013. Embora os trabalhos preparatórios sejam iniciados imediatamente, as regras aplicáveis não mudarão até Janeiro de 2013 Para garantir que a estabilidade regulatória é mantida. O RCLE-UE no terceiro período será um sistema mais eficiente, mais harmonizado e mais justo. O aumento da eficiência é conseguido através de um período de comércio mais longo (8 anos em vez de 5 anos), um limite de emissões robusto e anualmente em declínio (21 em 2020 comparado com 2005) e um aumento substancial do leilão (de menos de 4 Na fase 2 para mais da metade na fase 3). Foi acordada uma maior harmonização em muitos domínios, nomeadamente no que diz respeito à fixação de limites (um limite máximo a nível da UE em vez dos limites nacionais nas fases 1 e 2) e as regras aplicáveis à atribuição transitória de licenças de emissão. A equidade do sistema foi substancialmente reforçada pela adopção de regras de atribuição de licenças gratuitas a nível da UE para instalações industriais e pela introdução de um mecanismo de redistribuição que autoriza os novos Estados-Membros a licitar mais licenças. Como se compara o texto final à proposta inicial da Comissão Os objectivos em matéria de clima e energia acordados pelo Conselho Europeu da Primavera de 2007 foram mantidos e a arquitectura global da proposta da Comissão sobre o RCLE-UE permanece intacta. Ou seja, haverá um limite máximo a nível da UE sobre o número de licenças de emissão e este limite diminuirá anualmente ao longo de uma linha de tendência linear, que continuará para além do final do terceiro período de comércio (2013-2020). A principal diferença em relação à proposta é que o leilão de licenças será introduzido mais lentamente. Quais são as principais alterações em relação à proposta da Comissão Em resumo, as principais alterações introduzidas na proposta são as seguintes: Certos Estados-Membros podem beneficiar de uma derrogação facultativa e temporária à regra de não atribuição gratuita de licenças de emissão Aos produtores de electricidade a partir de 2013. Esta opção de derrogação está à disposição dos Estados-Membros que preenchem determinadas condições relacionadas com a interconectividade da sua rede eléctrica, a quota de um único combustível fóssil na produção de electricidade ea GDPcapita em relação à média da UE-27. Além disso, o montante das licenças de emissão gratuitas que um Estado-Membro pode atribuir às centrais eléctricas limita-se a 70% das emissões de dióxido de carbono das instalações pertinentes na fase 1 e diminui nos anos subsequentes. Além disso, a atribuição gratuita na fase 3 só pode ser atribuída a centrais eléctricas que estejam operacionais ou em construção até ao final de 2008. Ver resposta à questão 15 infra. Haverá mais pormenores na directiva sobre os critérios a utilizar para determinar os sectores ou subsectores considerados expostos a um risco significativo de fuga de carbono. E uma data anterior à publicação da lista das Comissões de tais sectores (31 de Dezembro de 2009). Além disso, sujeito a revisão quando um acordo internacional satisfatório for alcançado, as instalações em todas as indústrias expostas receberão 100 licenças gratuitas na medida em que utilizem a tecnologia mais eficiente. A afectação gratuita à indústria está limitada à percentagem destas emissões das indústrias no total de emissões entre 2005 e 2007. O número total de licenças atribuídas gratuitamente às instalações dos sectores industriais diminuirá anualmente, em conformidade com o declínio do limite das emissões. Os Estados-Membros podem também compensar determinadas instalações pelos custos de CO 2 repercutidos nos preços da electricidade se os custos de CO 2 puderem de outro modo os expor ao risco de fuga de carbono. A Comissão comprometeu-se a alterar as orientações comunitárias relativas aos auxílios estatais a favor do ambiente a este respeito. Ver resposta à pergunta 15 infra. O nível de leilão das licenças de emissão para as indústrias não expostas aumentará de forma linear, tal como proposto pela Comissão, mas em vez de atingir 100 até 2020, chegará a 70, com vista a atingir 100 em 2027. Conforme previsto na proposta da Comissão , 10 das licenças de leilão serão redistribuídas dos Estados-Membros com elevado rendimento per capita para aqueles com baixo rendimento per capita, a fim de reforçar a capacidade financeira destes últimos para investir em tecnologias favoráveis ao clima. Foi adicionado um outro mecanismo redistributivo de 2 licenças de leilão para ter em conta os Estados-Membros que, em 2005, tinham conseguido uma redução de, pelo menos, 20 em emissões de gases com efeito de estufa em comparação com o ano de referência estabelecido pelo Protocolo de Quioto. A percentagem de receitas de leilão que os Estados-Membros são recomendados para lutar e adaptar-se às alterações climáticas, principalmente na UE, mas também nos países em desenvolvimento, é aumentada de 20 para 50. O texto prevê um complemento ao nível permitido proposto De utilização de créditos JICDM no cenário 20 para os operadores existentes que receberam os orçamentos mais baixos para importar e utilizar tais créditos em relação às dotações e ao acesso a créditos no período 2008-2012. Novos sectores, novos operadores nos períodos 2013-2020 e 2008-2012 poderão também utilizar créditos. Contudo, o montante total dos créditos que podem ser utilizados não será superior a 50% da redução entre 2008 e 2020. Com base numa redução mais rigorosa das emissões no contexto de um acordo internacional satisfatório, a Comissão poderia permitir um acesso adicional às RCE e às URE para Operadores no regime comunitário. Ver resposta à pergunta 20 infra. O produto da venda em leilão de 300 milhões de licenças da reserva de novos operadores será utilizado para apoiar até 12 projectos de demonstração de captura e armazenamento de carbono e projectos que demonstrem tecnologias inovadoras em matéria de energias renováveis. Um certo número de condições estão associadas a este mecanismo de financiamento. Ver resposta à pergunta 30 abaixo. A possibilidade de optar por pequenas instalações de combustão, desde que sejam objecto de medidas equivalentes, foi alargada a todas as pequenas instalações independentemente da actividade, o limiar de emissão aumentou de 10 000 para 25 000 toneladas de CO 2 por ano eo limiar de capacidade As instalações de combustão têm de cumprir, além disso, foi aumentada de 25MW para 35MW. Com estes crescentes limiares, a percentagem de emissões cobertas que seria potencialmente excluída do sistema de comércio de licenças de emissão torna-se significativa e, por conseguinte, foi acrescentada uma provisão para permitir uma redução correspondente do limite de licenças de emissão a nível da UE. No seu PAN para o primeiro (2005-2007) e o segundo (2008-2012) períodos de comércio, os Estados-Membros determinaram a quantidade total de licenças de emissão a emitir e como estas Seriam afectados às instalações em causa. Esta abordagem tem gerado diferenças significativas nas regras de atribuição, criando um incentivo para que cada Estado-Membro favoreça a sua própria indústria e conduziu a uma grande complexidade. A partir do terceiro período de comércio, haverá um limite único a nível da UE e as licenças serão atribuídas com base em regras harmonizadas. Os planos nacionais de atribuição não serão, pois, necessários. How will the emission cap in phase 3 be determined The rules for calculating the EU-wide cap are as follows: From 2013, the total number of allowances will decrease annually in a linear manner. The starting point of this line is the average total quantity of allowances (phase 2 cap) to be issued by Member States for the 2008-12 period, adjusted to reflect the broadened scope of the system from 2013 as well as any small installations that Member States have chosen to exclude. The linear factor by which the annual amount shall decrease is 1.74 in relation to the phase 2 cap. The starting point for determining the linear factor of 1.74 is the 20 overall reduction of greenhouse gases compared to 1990, which is equivalent to a 14 reduction compared to 2005. However, a larger reduction is required of the EU ETS because it is cheaper to reduce emissions in the ETS sectors. The division that minimises overall reduction cost amounts to: a 21 reduction in EU ETS sector emissions compared to 2005 by 2020 a reduction of around 10 compared to 2005 for the sectors that are not covered by the EU ETS. The 21 reduction in 2020 results in an ETS cap in 2020 of a maximum of 1720 million allowances and implies an average phase 3 cap (2013 to 2020) of some 1846 million allowances and a reduction of 11 compared to the phase 2 cap. All absolute figures indicated correspond to the coverage at the start of the second trading period and therefore dont take account of aviation, which will be added in 2012, and other sectors that will be added in phase 3. The final figures for the annual emission caps in phase 3 will be determined and published by the Commission by 30 September 2010. How will the emission cap beyond phase 3 be determined The linear factor of 1.74 used to determine the phase 3 cap will continue to apply beyond the end of the trading period in 2020 and will determine the cap for the fourth trading period (2021 to 2028) and beyond. It may be revised by 2025 at the latest. In fact, significant emission reductions of 60-80 compared to 1990 will be necessary by 2050 to reach the strategic objective of limiting the global average temperature increase to not more than 2C above pre-industrial levels. An EU-wide cap on emission allowances will be determined for each individual year. Will this reduce flexibility for the installations concerned No, flexibility for installations will not be reduced at all. In any year, the allowances to be auctioned and distributed have to be issued by the competent authorities by 28 February. The last date for operators to surrender allowances is 30 April of the year following the year in which the emissions took place. So operators receive allowances for the current year before they have to surrender allowances to cover their emissions for the previous year. Allowances remain valid throughout the trading period and any surplus allowances can now be banked for use in subsequent trading periods. In this respect nothing will change. The system will remain based on trading periods, but the third trading period will last eight years, from 2013 to 2020, as opposed to five years for the second phase from 2008 to 2012. For the second trading period Member States generally decided to allocate equal total quantities of allowances for each year. The linear decrease each year from 2013 will correspond better to expected emissions trends over the period. What are the tentative annual ETS cap figures for the period 2013 to 2020 The tentative annual cap figures are as follows: These figures are based on the scope of the ETS as applicable in phase 2 (2008 to 2012), and the Commissions decisions on the national allocation plans for phase 2, amounting to 2083 million tonnes. These figures will be adjusted for several reasons. Firstly, adjustment will be made to take into account the extensions of the scope in phase 2, provided that Member States substantiate and verify their emissions accruing from these extensions. Secondly, adjustment will be made with respect to further extensions of the scope of the ETS in the third trading period. Thirdly, any opt-out of small installations will lead to a corresponding reduction of the cap. Fourthly, the figures do not take account of the inclusion of aviation, nor of emissions from Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein. Will allowances still be allocated for free Yes. Industrial installations will receive transitional free allocation. And in those Member States that are eligible for the optional derogation, power plants may, if the Member State so decides, also receive free allowances. It is estimated that at least half of the available allowances as of 2013 will be auctioned. While the great majority of allowances has been allocated free of charge to installations in the first and second trading periods, the Commission proposed that auctioning of allowances should become the basic principle for allocation. This is because auctioning best ensures the efficiency, transparency and simplicity of the system and creates the greatest incentive for investments in a low-carbon economy. It best complies with the polluter pays principle and avoids giving windfall profits to certain sectors that have passed on the notional cost of allowances to their customers despite receiving them for free. How will allowances be handed out for free By 31 December 2010, the Commission will adopt EU-wide rules, which will be developed under a committee procedure (Comitology). These rules will fully harmonise allocations and thus all firms across the EU with the same or similar activities will be subject to the same rules. The rules will ensure as far as possible that the allocation promotes carbon-efficient technologies. The adopted rules provide that to the extent feasible, allocations are to be based on so-called benchmarks, e. g. a number of allowances per quantity of historical output. Such rules reward operators that have taken early action to reduce greenhouse gases, better reflect the polluter pays principle and give stronger incentives to reduce emissions, as allocations would no longer depend on historical emissions. All allocations are to be determined before the start of the third trading period and no ex-post adjustments will be allowed. Which installations will receive free allocations and which will not How will negative impacts on competitiveness be avoided Taking into account their ability to pass on the increased cost of emission allowances, full auctioning is the rule from 2013 onwards for electricity generators. However, Member States who fulfil certain conditions relating to their interconnectivity or their share of fossil fuels in electricity production and GDP per capita in relation to the EU-27 average, have the option to temporarily deviate from this rule with respect to existing power plants. The auctioning rate in 2013 is to be at least 30 in relation to emissions in the first period and has to increase progressively to 100 no later than 2020. If the option is applied, the Member State has to undertake to invest in improving and upgrading of the infrastructure, in clean technologies and in diversification of their energy mix and sources of supply for an amount to the extent possible equal to the market value of the free allocation. In other sectors, allocations for free will be phased out progressively from 2013, with Member States agreeing to start at 20 auctioning in 2013, increasing to 70 auctioning in 2020 with a view to reaching 100 in 2027. However, an exception will be made for installations in sectors that are found to be exposed to a significant risk of carbon leakage. This risk could occur if the EU ETS increased production costs so much that companies decided to relocate production to areas outside the EU that are not subject to comparable emission constraints. The Commission will determine the sectors concerned by 31 December 2009. To do this, the Commission will assess inter alia whether the direct and indirect additional production costs induced by the implementation of the ETS Directive as a proportion of gross value added exceed 5 and whether the total value of its exports and imports divided by the total value of its turnover and imports exceeds 10. If the result for either of these criteria exceeds 30, the sector would also be considered to be exposed to a significant risk of carbon leakage. Installations in these sectors would receive 100 of their share in the annually declining total quantity of allowances for free. The share of these industries emissions is determined in relation to total ETS emissions in 2005 to 2007. CO 2 costs passed on in electricity prices could also expose certain installations to the risk of carbon leakage. In order to avoid such risk, Member States may grant a compensation with respect to such costs. In the absence of an international agreement on climate change, the Commission has undertaken to modify the Community guidelines on state aid for environmental protection in this respect. Under an international agreement which ensures that competitors in other parts of the world bear a comparable cost, the risk of carbon leakage may well be negligible. Therefore, by 30 June 2010, the Commission will carry out an in-depth assessment of the situation of energy-intensive industry and the risk of carbon leakage, in the light of the outcome of the international negotiations and also taking into account any binding sectoral agreements that may have been concluded. The report will be accompanied by any proposals considered appropriate. These could potentially include maintaining or adjusting the proportion of allowances received free of charge to industrial installations that are particularly exposed to global competition or including importers of the products concerned in the ETS. Who will organise the auctions and how will they be carried out Member States will be responsible for ensuring that the allowances given to them are auctioned. Each Member State has to decide whether it wants to develop its own auctioning infrastructure and platform or whether it wants to cooperate with other Member States to develop regional or EU-wide solutions. The distribution of the auctioning rights to Member States is largely based on emissions in phase 1 of the EU ETS, but a part of the rights will be redistributed from richer Member States to poorer ones to take account of the lower GDP per head and higher prospects for growth and emissions among the latter. It is still the case that 10 of the rights to auction allowances will be redistributed from Member States with high per capita income to those with low per capita income in order to strengthen the financial capacity of the latter to invest in climate friendly technologies. However, a provision has been added for another redistributive mechanism of 2 to take into account Member States which in 2005 had achieved a reduction of at least 20 in greenhouse gas emissions compared with the reference year set by the Kyoto Protocol. Nine Member States benefit from this provision. Any auctioning must respect the rules of the internal market and must therefore be open to any potential buyer under non-discriminatory conditions. By 30 June 2010, the Commission will adopt a Regulation (through the comitology procedure) that will provide the appropriate rules and conditions for ensuring efficient, coordinated auctions without disturbing the allowance market. How many allowances will each Member State auction and how is this amount determined All allowances which are not allocated free of charge will be auctioned. A total of 88 of allowances to be auctioned by each Member State is distributed on the basis of the Member States share of historic emissions under the EU ETS. For purposes of solidarity and growth, 12 of the total quantity is distributed in a way that takes into account GDP per capita and the achievements under the Kyoto-Protocol. Which sectors and gases are covered as of 2013 The ETS covers installations performing specified activities. Since the start it has covered, above certain capacity thresholds, power stations and other combustion plants, oil refineries, coke ovens, iron and steel plants and factories making cement, glass, lime, bricks, ceramics, pulp, paper and board. As for greenhouse gases, it currently only covers carbon dioxide emissions, with the exception of the Netherlands, which has opted in emissions from nitrous oxide. As from 2013, the scope of the ETS will be extended to also include other sectors and greenhouse gases. CO 2 emissions from petrochemicals, ammonia and aluminium will be included, as will N2O emissions from the production of nitric, adipic and glyocalic acid production and perfluorocarbons from the aluminium sector. The capture, transport and geological storage of all greenhouse gas emissions will also be covered. These sectors will receive allowances free of charge according to EU-wide rules, in the same way as other industrial sectors already covered. As of 2012, aviation will also be included in the EU ETS. Will small installations be excluded from the scope A large number of installations emitting relatively low amounts of CO 2 are currently covered by the ETS and concerns have been raised over the cost-effectiveness of their inclusion. As from 2013, Member States will be allowed to remove these installations from the ETS under certain conditions. The installations concerned are those whose reported emissions were lower than 25 000 tonnes of CO 2 equivalent in each of the 3 years preceding the year of application. For combustion installations, an additional capacity threshold of 35MW applies. In addition Member States are given the possibility to exclude installations operated by hospitals. The installations may be excluded from the ETS only if they will be covered by measures that will achieve an equivalent contribution to emission reductions. How many emission credits from third countries will be allowed For the second trading period, Member States allowed their operators to use significant quantities of credits generated by emission-saving projects undertaken in third countries to cover part of their emissions in the same way as they use ETS allowances. The revised Directive extends the rights to use these credits for the third trading period and allows a limited additional quantity to be used in such a way that the overall use of credits is limited to 50 of the EU-wide reductions over the period 2008-2020. For existing installations, and excluding new sectors within the scope, this will represent a total level of access of approximately 1.6 billion credits over the period 2008-2020. In practice, this means that existing operators will be able to use credits up to a minimum of 11 of their allocation during the period 2008-2012, while a top-up is foreseen for operators with the lowest sum of free allocation and allowed use of credits in the 2008-2012 period. New sectors and new entrants in the third trading period will have a guaranteed minimum access of 4.5 of their verified emissions during the period 2013-2020. For the aviation sector, the minimum access will be 1.5. The precise percentages will be determined through comitology. These projects must be officially recognised under the Kyoto Protocols Joint Implementation (JI) mechanism (covering projects carried out in countries with an emissions reduction target under the Protocol) or Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) (for projects undertaken in developing countries). Credits from JI projects are known as Emission Reduction Units (ERUs) while those from CDM projects are called Certified Emission Reductions (CERs). On the quality side only credits from project types eligible for use in the EU trading scheme during the period 2008-2012 will be accepted in the period 2013-2020. Furthermore, from 1 January 2013 measures may be applied to restrict the use of specific credits from project types. Such a quality control mechanism is needed to assure the environmental and economic integrity of future project types. To create greater flexibility, and in the absence of an international agreement being concluded by 31 December 2009, credits could be used in accordance with agreements concluded with third countries. The use of these credits should however not increase the overall number beyond 50 of the required reductions. Such agreements would not be required for new projects that started from 2013 onwards in Least Developed Countries. Based on a stricter emissions reduction in the context of a satisfactory international agreement . additional access to credits could be allowed, as well as the use of additional types of project credits or other mechanisms created under the international agreement. However, once an international agreement has been reached, from January 2013 onwards only credits from projects in third countries that have ratified the agreement or from additional types of project approved by the Commission will be eligible for use in the Community scheme. Will it be possible to use credits from carbon sinks like forests No. Before making its proposal, the Commission analysed the possibility of allowing credits from certain types of land use, land-use change and forestry (LULUCF) projects which absorb carbon from the atmosphere. It concluded that doing so could undermine the environmental integrity of the EU ETS, for the following reasons: LULUCF projects cannot physically deliver permanent emissions reductions. Insufficient solutions have been developed to deal with the uncertainties, non-permanence of carbon storage and potential emissions leakage problems arising from such projects. The temporary and reversible nature of such activities would pose considerable risks in a company-based trading system and impose great liability risks on Member States. The inclusion of LULUCF projects in the ETS would require a quality of monitoring and reporting comparable to the monitoring and reporting of emissions from installations currently covered by the system. This is not available at present and is likely to incur costs which would substantially reduce the attractiveness of including such projects. The simplicity, transparency and predictability of the ETS would be considerably reduced. Moreover, the sheer quantity of potential credits entering the system could undermine the functioning of the carbon market unless their role were limited, in which case their potential benefits would become marginal. The Commission, the Council and the European Parliament believe that global deforestation can be better addressed through other instruments. For example, using part of the proceeds from auctioning allowances in the EU ETS could generate additional means to invest in LULUCF activities both inside and outside the EU, and may provide a model for future expansion. In this respect the Commission has proposed to set up the Global Forest Carbon Mechanism that would be a performance-based system for financing reductions in deforestation levels in developing countries. Besides those already mentioned, are there other credits that could be used in the revised ETS Yes. Projects in EU Member States which reduce greenhouse gas emissions not covered by the ETS could issue credits. These Community projects would need to be managed according to common EU provisions set up by the Commission in order to be tradable throughout the system. Such provisions would be adopted only for projects that cannot be realised through inclusion in the ETS. The provisions will seek to ensure that credits from Community projects do not result in double-counting of emission reductions nor impede other policy measures to reduce emissions not covered by the ETS, and that they are based on simple, easily administered rules. Are there measures in place to ensure that the price of allowances wont fall sharply during the third trading period A stable and predictable regulatory framework is vital for market stability. The revised Directive makes the regulatory framework as predictable as possible in order to boost stability and rule out policy-induced volatility. Important elements in this respect are the determination of the cap on emissions in the Directive well in advance of the start of the trading period, a linear reduction factor for the cap on emissions which continues to apply also beyond 2020 and the extension of the trading period from 5 to 8 years. The sharp fall in the allowance price during the first trading period was due to over-allocation of allowances which could not be banked for use in the second trading period. For the second and subsequent trading periods, Member States are obliged to allow the banking of allowances from one period to the next and therefore the end of one trading period is not expected to have any impact on the price. A new provision will apply as of 2013 in case of excessive price fluctuations in the allowance market. If, for more than six consecutive months, the allowance price is more than three times the average price of allowances during the two preceding years on the European market, the Commission will convene a meeting with Member States. If it is found that the price evolution does not correspond to market fundamentals, the Commission may either allow Member States to bring forward the auctioning of a part of the quantity to be auctioned, or allow them to auction up to 25 of the remaining allowances in the new entrant reserve. The price of allowances is determined by supply and demand and reflects fundamental factors like economic growth, fuel prices, rainfall and wind (availability of renewable energy) and temperature (demand for heating and cooling) etc. A degree of uncertainty is inevitable for such factors. The markets, however, allow participants to hedge the risks that may result from changes in allowances prices. Are there any provisions for linking the EU ETS to other emissions trading systems Yes. One of the key means to reduce emissions more cost-effectively is to enhance and further develop the global carbon market. The Commission sees the EU ETS as an important building block for the development of a global network of emission trading systems. Linking other national or regional cap-and-trade emissions trading systems to the EU ETS can create a bigger market, potentially lowering the aggregate cost of reducing greenhouse gas emissions. The increased liquidity and reduced price volatility that this would entail would improve the functioning of markets for emission allowances. This may lead to a global network of trading systems in which participants, including legal entities, can buy emission allowances to fulfil their respective reduction commitments. The EU is keen to work with the new US Administration to build a transatlantic and indeed global carbon market to act as the motor of a concerted international push to combat climate change. While the original Directive allows for linking the EU ETS with other industrialised countries that have ratified the Kyoto Protocol, the new rules allow for linking with any country or administrative entity (such as a state or group of states under a federal system) which has established a compatible mandatory cap-and-trade system whose design elements would not undermine the environmental integrity of the EU ETS. Where such systems cap absolute emissions, there would be mutual recognition of allowances issued by them and the EU ETS. What is a Community registry and how does it work Registries are standardised electronic databases ensuring the accurate accounting of the issuance, holding, transfer and cancellation of emission allowances. As a signatory to the Kyoto Protocol in its own right, the Community is also obliged to maintain a registry. This is the Community Registry, which is distinct from the registries of Member States. Allowances issued from 1 January 2013 onwards will be held in the Community registry instead of in national registries. Will there be any changes to monitoring, reporting and verification requirements The Commission will adopt a new Regulation (through the comitology procedure) by 31 December 2011 governing the monitoring and reporting of emissions from the activities listed in Annex I of the Directive. A separate Regulation on the verification of emission reports and the accreditation of verifiers should specify conditions for accreditation, mutual recognition and cancellation of accreditation for verifiers, and for supervision and peer review as appropriate. What provision will be made for new entrants into the market Five percent of the total quantity of allowances will be put into a reserve for new installations or airlines that enter the system after 2013 (new entrants). The allocations from this reserve should mirror the allocations to corresponding existing installations. A part of the new entrant reserve, amounting to 300 million allowances, will be made available to support the investments in up to 12 demonstration projects using the carbon capture and storage technology and demonstration projects using innovative renewable energy technologies. There should be a fair geographical distribution of the projects. In principle, any allowances remaining in the reserve shall be distributed to Member States for auctioning. The distribution key shall take into account the level to which installations in Member States have benefited from this reserve. What has been agreed with respect to the financing of the 12 carbon capture and storage demonstration projects requested by a previous European Council The European Parliaments Environment Committee tabled an amendment to the EU ETS Directive requiring allowances in the new entrant reserve to be set aside in order to co-finance up to 12 demonstration projects as requested by the European Council in spring 2007. This amendment has later been extended to include also innovative renewable energy technologies that are not commercially viable yet. Projects shall be selected on the basis of objective and transparent criteria that include requirements for knowledge sharing. Support shall be given from the proceeds of these allowances via Member States and shall be complementary to substantial co-financing by the operator of the installation. No project shall receive support via this mechanism that exceeds 15 of the total number of allowances (i. e. 45 million allowances) available for this purpose. The Member State may choose to co-finance the project as well, but will in any case transfer the market value of the attributed allowances to the operator, who will not receive any allowances. A total of 300 million allowances will therefore be set aside until 2015 for this purpose. What is the role of an international agreement and its potential impact on EU ETS When an international agreement is reached, the Commission shall submit a report to the European Parliament and the Council assessing the nature of the measures agreed upon in the international agreement and their implications, in particular with respect to the risk of carbon leakage. On the basis of this report, the Commission shall then adopt a legislative proposal amending the present Directive as appropriate. For the effects on the use of credits from Joint Implementation and Clean Development Mechanism projects, please see the reply to question 20. What are the next steps Member States have to bring into force the legal instruments necessary to comply with certain provisions of the revised Directive by 31 December 2009. This concerns the collection of duly substantiated and verified emissions data from installations that will only be covered by the EU ETS as from 2013, and the national lists of installations and the allocation to each one. For the remaining provisions, the national laws, regulations and administrative provisions only have to be ready by 31 December 2012. The Commission has already started the work on implementation. For example, the collection and analysis of data for use in relation to carbon leakage is ongoing (list of sectors due end 2009). Work is also ongoing to prepare the Regulation on timing, administration and other aspects of auctioning (due by June 2010), the harmonised allocation rules (due end 2010) and the two Regulations on monitoring and reporting of emissions and verification of emissions and accreditation of verifiers (due end 2011).Participating in the EU ETS Introduction to the EU Emissions Trading System including how the cap-and-trade System works, how free allowances are allocated, details on complying, the inclusion of aviation in the System and the UKs opt-out scheme for small emitters and hospitals. The EU ETS is the largest multi-country, multi-sector greenhouse gas emissions trading system in the world. It includes more than 11,000 power stations and industrial plants across the EU with around 1,000 of these in the UK. These include power stations, oil refineries, offshore platforms and industries that produce iron and steel, cement and lime, paper, glass, ceramics and chemicals. Other organisations, including universities and hospitals, may also be covered by the EU ETS depending upon the combustion capacity of equipment at their sites. Aviation operators flying into or from a European airport are also covered by the EU ETS . This guidance explains the EU s cap and trade system, including details of the phases of delivery of the System. It provides information on the UKs application for Phase III free allowances via its National Implementation Measures (NIMs ), as well as details of compliance and verification. There are also sections on emissions regulation for the aviation industry and the UKs Small Emitters and Hospitals Opt-out Scheme. Cap and trade The EU ETS works on a cap and trade basis, so there is a cap or limit set on the total greenhouse gas emissions allowed by all participants covered by the System and this cap is converted into tradable emission allowances. Tradable emission allowances are allocated to participants in the market in the EU ETS this is done via a mixture of free allocation and auctions. One allowance gives the holder the right to emit one tonne of CO2 (or its equivalent). Participants covered by the EU ETS must monitor and report their emissions each year and surrender enough emission allowances to cover their annual emissions. Participants who are likely to emit more than their allocation have a choice between taking measures to reduce their emissions or buying additional allowances either from the secondary market e. g. companies who hold allowances they do not need or from Member State held auctions. More information is available on the EU ETS. carbon markets webpage. It does not matter where (in terms of physical location) emission reductions are made because emissions savings have the same environmental effect wherever they are made. The rationale behind emissions trading is that it enables emission reductions to take place where the cost of the reduction is lowest, lessening the overall cost of tackling climate change. How trading works: a simplified hypothetical example Historically installation A and installation B both emit 210 tonnes of CO2 per year. Under the EU s allocation process they are given 200 allowances each. At the end of the first year, emissions of 180Mt were recorded for installation A as it installed an energy efficient boiler at the beginning of the year which reduced its CO2 emissions. It is now free to sell its surplus allowances on the carbon market. Installation B however emitted 220Mt CO2 because it needed to increase its production capacity and it was too expensive for it to invest in energy efficiency technology. Therefore, installation B bought allowances from the market, which had been made available because installation A has been able to sell its additional allowances. The net effect is that the investment in carbon reduction occurs in the cheapest place, and CO2 emissions are limited to the 400 allowances issued to both installations. Delivery phases of the Emissions Trading System To date, three operational phases of the EU ETS have been delivered or agreed although it is envisaged the scheme will continue beyond 2020: Phase I (1 January 2005 to 31 December 2007) This phase is complete. Further details around this phase can be viewed on the National Archives version of the DECC: EU ETS Phase I web page . Phase II (1 January 2008 to 31 December 2012) Phase II of the EU ETS coincided with the first Kyoto Commitment Period. Phase II built on the lessons from the first phase, and was broadened to cover CO2 emissions from glass, mineral wool, gypsum, flaring from offshore oil and gas production, petrochemicals, carbon black and integrated steelworks. In Phase II, each Member State developed a National Allocation Plan (NAP ), which set out the total quantity of allowances that the Member State intended to issue during that phase and how it proposed to distribute those allowances to each of its operators covered by the System. Each NAP had to be approved by the European Commission. The approved UK Phase II NAP was published on 16 March 2007. Further details around this phase can be viewed on the National Archives version of the National Archives version of the DECC: EU ETS Phase 2 web page . Phase III (1 January 2013 to 31 December 2020) The current phase of the EU ETS builds upon the previous two phases and is significantly revised to make a greater contribution to tackling climate change including: an EU - wide cap on the number of available allowances and an increase in auctioning of those allowances, as well as the UKs scheme to lower compliance costs for small emitters and hospitals. The EU cap will reduce the number of available allowances by 1.74 each year, delivering an overall reduction of 21 below 2005 verified emissions by 2020. The trajectory will be calculated from a departure point of the mid-point of Phase II and will describe a declining cap from 2013 onwards. Free allocation of allowances All sectors covered by the EU ETS. with the exception of most of the EU power sector, are provided with a free allocation of allowances in order to assist with their transition towards a low carbon economy. In addition, industrial sectors at significant risk of competition from countries without similar carbon costs (see section on carbon leakage in the EU ETS for more information) are eligible to receive a higher proportion of allowances for free. In 2011, Member States were required to submit to the European Commission a list of the preliminary number of free allowances to be issued to each industrial installation in Phase III, referred to as National Implementation Measures or NIMs . The UK submitted its NIMs to the European Commission on 12 December 2011, and subsequently submitted modified NIMs in April 2012. On 5 September 2013 the European Commission announced completion of the process to check and confirm the free allocation of EU ETS allowances in each Member States NIMs. It also announced that a cross sectoral correction factor was required to ensure that free allocation across the EU remains within the cap set in the ETS Directive. The factor reduced the preliminary allocation for each EU ETS installation by 5.73 in 2013, rising to 17.56 in 2020. The average reduction of allocation is therefore 11.58 over the period 2013-2020. The first list below shows free allocation figures in Phase III for each industrial installation in the UK, as approved by the European Commission on 18 December 2013. The second list shows updated free allocation figures for Phase III, taking into account any changes to the allocation agreed in the UKs NIMs for individual installations as of 30 April 2014, for instance due to partial cessations, significant capacity reductions or where installations have entered the EU ETS (new entrants). This list will be updated on an annual basis to take into account further changes to allocation over the course of the phase. MS Excel Spreadsheet. 73.2KB This file may not be suitable for users of assistive technology. Request an accessible format. If you use assistive technology (eg a screen reader) and need a version of this document in a more accessible format, please email correspondencedecc. gsi. gov. uk. Please tell us what format you need. It will help us if you say what assistive technology you use. PDF. 635KB. 14 pages This file may not be suitable for users of assistive technology. Request an accessible format. If you use assistive technology (eg a screen reader) and need a version of this document in a more accessible format, please email correspondencedecc. gsi. gov. uk. Please tell us what format you need. It will help us if you say what assistive technology you use. PDF. 727KB. 31 pages This file may not be suitable for users of assistive technology. Request an accessible format. If you use assistive technology (eg a screen reader) and need a version of this document in a more accessible format, please email correspondencedecc. gsi. gov. uk. Please tell us what format you need. It will help us if you say what assistive technology you use. PDF. 397KB. 32 pages This file may not be suitable for users of assistive technology. Request an accessible format. If you use assistive technology (eg a screen reader) and need a version of this document in a more accessible format, please email correspondencedecc. gsi. gov. uk. Please tell us what format you need. It will help us if you say what assistive technology you use. Carbon leakage and the EU ETS Carbon leakage is a term used to describe the prospect of an increase in global greenhouse gas emissions when a company shifts production or investment outside the EU because - in the absence of an legally binding international climate agreement - they are unable to pass on the cost increases induced by the EU ETS to their customers without significant loss of market share. The best way to address carbon leakage would be a legally binding international climate agreement. This would create a level playing field for industry inside and outside the EU with respect to accounting for the costs of carbon. In the meantime, the EU ETS provides two mechanisms to mitigate the risk of carbon leakage. First, sectors deemed to be at significant risk of carbon leakage are eligible to receive 100 free allocation of allowances up to the sectors benchmark. This is a significant source of relief, as sectors not deemed at risk will receive 80 of their allocation for free in 2013, declining annually to 30 in 2020 with a view to reaching 0 (i. e. full auctioning) in 2027. The second mechanism allows Member States to compensate sectors at significant risk of carbon leakage as a result of indirect EU ETS costs (i. e. through EU ETS - related increases in electricity prices), provided that schemes are designed within the framework set by the European Commission (see section on indirect carbon leakage compensation scheme for more information). The UK government strongly supports the principle of free allocation in the absence of an international climate agreement. We believe that the proportionate free allocation of allowances gives relief to sectors at significant risk of carbon leakage, without raising barriers to international trade. We are concerned however that those most at risk may not be compensated sufficiently in the future if current EU ETS rules are not reformed for Phase IV of the EU ETS . The UK government recognises industry concerns around competitiveness and carbon leakage and is committed to ensuring that sectors genuinely at significant risk of carbon leakage are protected from this risk. In June 2014, we published a research project commissioned by the Department of Energy and Climate Change and undertaken by Vivid Economics and Ecofys. which investigates the occurrence of carbon leakage so far and the fundamental drivers of carbon leakage for a selection of industrial sectors and assesses the measures in place for its mitigation. The report models the risk of carbon leakage for 24 industrial sectors, and was produced in consultation with industry stakeholders. Modelling analysis shows that in the absence of any mitigating policy measures (such as free allocation of allowances), no allowance for carbon abatement potential, and no increase in carbon regulation outside of the European Union, a number of sectors are at risk of leakage. Given these assumptions, the modelling analysis shows higher rates of carbon leakage than would be expected to occur in reality. The views expressed in the report are those of its writers, and do not represent an official position of the UK government. The final report, case studies and associated peer review are available: Carbon leakage prospects under Phase III of the EU ETS and beyond Assessment of carbon leakage status for the free allocation of allowances Sectors at risk of carbon leakage are assessed against a set of criteria and thresholds set out in the EU ETS Directive. The list of sectors deemed at risk of leakage for the period 2013-2014 were agreed through the EU comitology procedure in December 2009. with additions to the list made in subsequent European Commission Decisions . The EU ETS Directive allows for a review of sectors at risk every five years, with the possibility of adding sectors to the list on annual, ad hoc basis. On 5 May 2014, the European Commission published its draft list of sectors for the period 2015-19. based on the quantitative and qualitative criteria set out in the ETS Directive. The draft carbon leakage list will be presented to the EU Climate Change Committee for vote shortly, after which it must be sent to the European Parliament and the Council for three months scrutiny before adoption. On 31 August 2013, the UK responded to the European Commissions consultation on the methodology for determination of the carbon leakage list for 2015-19. UK response to the European Commissions consultation on assumptions to be used for the 2015-19 EU ETS carbon leakage list ( PDF. 163KB. 12 pages ) Indirect carbon leakage compensation scheme In the 2011 Autumn Statement, the Chancellor announced that the government intended to implement measures to reduce the impact of policy on the costs of electricity for the most electricity-intensive industries, beginning in 2013 and worth around 250 million over the Spending Review period. As part of this, the government has committed to compensate the most electricity-intensive businesses to help offset the indirect cost of the Carbon Price Floor and the EU ETS. subject to state aid guidelines. In the 2014 Budget, the Chancellor announced that compensation for the indirect costs of the Carbon Price Floor and the EU ETS would be extended to 2019-20. The European Commission adopted revised State Aid guidelines on compensation for the indirect costs of the EU ETS in June 2012. These guidelines list the sectors deemed to be exposed to a significant risk of carbon leakage due to indirect emissions costs, and provide details of the maximum levels of compensation that can be made available to them. Any Member State compensation scheme must be designed within the framework set by the European Commission. In October 2012, DECC and BIS launched the energy intensive industries compensation scheme consultation. which set out our proposals for the eligibility and design of the compensation package. The consultation, which closed in December 2012, provided an opportunity for all those interested in the package to comment on the proposals, helping us ensure that compensation is targeted at those companies who are most at risk of carbon leakage as a result of energy and climate change policies. Following detailed consideration of the responses and state aid clearance for the EU ETS compensation package, in May 2013 we published the governments response to the consultation and the final compensation scheme design for the EU ETS. The UK started making payments in respect of indirect costs of the EU ETS in 2013. For Carbon Price Floor compensation, which remains subject to state aid approval from the European Commission, we expect to publish guidance later in the summer and begin payments shortly thereafter. New Entrants Reserve The New Entrants Reserve (NER ) is a set aside of EU allowances, reserved for new operators or existing operators who have significantly increased capacity. The UKs EU ETS Regulators are responsible for administering and assessing all NER applications. Operators starting a new entrant activity must submit an NER application to their regulator within 12 months of starting normal operation of the new or extended activity. More information on applying to the Phase III NER is available on the Environment Agency: EU ETS New Entrant Reserve (NER ) webpage. Further information on allowances can be found on the EU ETS. allowances page . Complying with the EU ETS The Greenhouse Gas Emissions Trading System Regulations 2012 require all operators that carry out an activity covered by the EU ETS to hold a greenhouse gas emissions permit - in effect, a licence to operate and emit greenhouse gases covered by the EU ETS. Activities covered by the EU ETS are any of the activities listed in Annex I to the EU ETS Directive . The EU ETS Regulators are responsible for enforcing compliance with the EU ETS Regulations, including operational functions such as granting and maintaining permits and emissions plans (for aviation), monitoring and reporting (including monitoring plans), assessing verified emission reports (and tonne-kilometre reports), assessing applications to the NER. determining reductions in allocations as a result of changes in capacity or cessation of activities, exchanging of information with UKAS on verifier activities. For the purpose of calculating civil penalties, DECC determines the value of the EU ETS carbon price used by the regulator. The determination is published in November each year: On 7 August 2013, we launched a consultation on a number of technical amendments to the Greenhouse Gas Emissions Trading Scheme Regulations 2012 so as to simplify and harmonize EU ETS penalties in the transition to Phase III, improve clarity and reduce the burden for businesses. The consultation closed on 19 September 2013. For more information on how to comply with EU ETS please visit: Monitoring, reporting, verification and accreditation An EU ETS operator must propose a monitoring plan when applying for a greenhouse gas emissions permit (or emissions plan for aviation operators). The monitoring plan provides information on how the EU ETS operators emissions will be measured and reported. A monitoring plan must be developed in accordance with the European Commissions Monitoring and Reporting Regulation and be approved by an EU ETS Regulator. The reporting year runs from 1 January to 31 December each year. The EU ETS requires all annual emissions reports and monitoring to be verified by an independent verifier in accordance with the Accreditation and Verification Regulation. A verifier will check for inconsistencies in monitoring with the approved plan and whether the data in the emissions report is complete and reliable. The European Commissions Guidance on the Accreditation and Verification Regulation aims to help operators of all stationary installations, aviation operators, verification bodies and regulators perform verifications consistently throughout the EU. It provides practical information and advice on the process and requirements for annual verification required by the EU ETS Directive, the European Commissions Monitoring and Reporting Regulation and Greenhouse Gas permitsmonitoring planstonne-kilometre plans. Finding an accredited EU ETS verifier in the UK The Accreditation and Verification Regulation (Commission Regulation 6002012EU ) requires EU ETS verifiers to meet specific requirements. In the UK, these requirements are demonstrated by being accredited. The UK Accreditation Service (UKAS ) is responsible for the accreditation and supervision of verifiers in the UK and for maintaining a list of those verifiers. The list of UKAS accredited verifiers for Phase III, including aviation, of the EU Emissions Trading System indicates the scope of a particular verifiers accreditation, for example in relation to particular sectors. The UKAS list does not include verifiers accredited by other national accreditation bodies and under Phase III rules there is no registration or acceptance procedure for non-UK verifiers. All verifiers are required to demonstrate that they are either accredited (or certified) in accordance with the Accreditation and Verification Regulation. Operators are responsible for ensuring that their verifier is accredited for the relevant scope of work. Details of a verifiers scope of accreditation can be found on the verifiers accreditation certificate. If you are an EU ETS verification body working in the UK for the first time, you will need an ETSWAP account to view your clients reports and to submit your verification opinion statement, as well as a Registry Account. To open a verifier ETSWAP account, send an email to EThelpenvironment-agency. gov. uk. It is advisable to do this when you have a client in the UK. Include the following information in your email: Name of verifier organisation Country Accreditation identification number A copy of your accreditation certificate Full name and email address of the main point of contact (this user will have the responsibility for managing other users for this verifier) Once the ETSWAP administrator has approved your request for access, ETSWAP will send you an email with the login details for your individual user account. To apply for a verifier Registry account, email etregistryhelpenvironment-agency. gov. uk for an application pack. Further guidance Using UK greenhouse gas inventory data in EU ETS monitoring and reporting: the country-specific factor list The European Commissions Regulation on Monitoring and Reporting allows nationally reported data to be used as default factors in specific circumstances. Carbon emission factors and calorific values from the UK Greenhouse Gas Inventory (AEA-Ricardo, 2015) are available for annual emissions reporting for the EU ETS : MS Excel Spreadsheet. 76.6KB This file may not be suitable for users of assistive technology. Request an accessible format. If you use assistive technology (eg a screen reader) and need a version of this document in a more accessible format, please email correspondencedecc. gsi. gov. uk. Please tell us what format you need. It will help us if you say what assistive technology you use. The national factors are Tier 2 and Tier 2a emission factors and net calorific values for specific fuels used by particular industries. The data have largely been extracted from the UK Greenhouse Gas Inventory that is presented on an annual basis to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC ). The Greenhouse Gas Inventory is developed independently to the EU Emissions Trading System. This data means the data referred to in Article 31(1) of the Monitoring and Reporting Regulation. The factors in these tables should only be used in accordance with the requirements in an installations approved monitoring plan, which is part of the Greenhouse Gas permit. Tables for previous years are available as follows: EU ETS non-compliance The EU ETS Directive requires Member States to put in place a system of penalties which is effective, proportionate and dissuasive but the nature of the penalties is largely left to Member State discretion (with the exception of the penalty for failure to surrender sufficient allowances in certain circumstances). The Greenhouse Gas Emissions Trading System Regulations 2012 set out the civil penalties to which a person is liable if they do not comply with the EU ETS. DECC has produced the guidance below for the offshore oil and gas industry detailing the Departments approach to enforcement and sanctions. The Regulations provide for the right of appeal against decisions of an EU ETS Regulator. In England and Wales appeals for both operators of stationary installations and aircraft operators, as well as offshore installations, are heard by the First-tier Tribunal. Appeals in Northern Ireland are heard and determined by the Planning Appeals Commission (PAC). In Scotland, the Directorate for Planning and Environmental Appeals (DPEA) in the Scottish Government hears and determines appeals on behalf of the Scottish Ministers. Different arrangements apply to appeals brought by aviation operators against a penalty notice served under the Aviation Greenhouse Gas Emissions Trading Scheme Regulations 2010 for the 2012 scheme year. The relevant rules under the 2010 Regulations continue to apply in relation to any appeal brought against any decision made or notice served under the 2010 Regulations. These provide that the appeal body is the Secretary of State or an independent person appointed by the Secretary of State. Appeal Determinations 2012 scheme year: Six appeals determinations have been made under these Regulations: Aviation in the EU ETS The EU Emissions Trading System requires aircraft operators to monitor and report emissions of CO2 and surrender the equivalent number of allowances. The scheme is designed to be a cost-effective means of tackling the CO2 emissions from aviation, enabling the aviation industry to grow sustainably whilst delivering emission reductions. The scheme applies to all flights between airports in the European Economic Area. Details of the underpinning EU legislation and related detailed FAQs can be found on the European Commission: Reducing emissions from aviation web page . We are consulting on implementation of the revised Aviation ETS in the UK. The consultation seeks comments on the proposed amendments to UK Regulations and the consultation-stage Impact Assessment. You can view the consultation and accompanying documents on the EU Emissions Trading System aviation consultation webpage . The key changes are: An Intra-European Economic Area (EEA) scope for the Aviation ETS from 1 January 2013 until 31 December 2016 A deferral of compliance deadlines for 2013 emissions until March and April 2015 An exemption for non-commercial operators emitting less than 1,000 tonnes of CO2 per year until 2020 Simplified procedures for operators emitting less than 25,000 tonnes of CO2 per year The number of free allowances issued and allowances auctioned are reduced in proportion to the reduction in scope. We welcome views from any organisation or individual, and the consultation will be of particular interest to aircraft operators, aerodrome operators, verifiers, other participants in the EU ETS and environmental groups. Regulation of aircraft operators emissions Each aircraft operator is administered by a single member state. The European Commission produces an annual list showing which operators are administered by which member state . There are three Regulators in the UK that regulate Aviation ETS activities, depending on the location of an operators registered office or where their highest proportion of emissions occur: the Environment Agency (for operators in England) the Scottish Environmental Protection Agency and Natural Resources Wales . You can find out more about what operators need to do to comply with the scheme on the EU ETS. operators and activities affected web page . Auctioning Free allocation to aircraft operators The European Commission enacted legislation in April 2014 changing the scope of EUETS with regards to international aviation emissions (Regulation (EU ) No 4212014 amending Directive 200387EC ). As a result of the change in scope of Aviation EU ETS. the UK is obligated to recalculate the allocation of free allowances due to eligible aircraft operators. This recalculation has been done in accordance with the Commission guidance. The table includes all operators who were previously due free allowances and indicates their new free allowance allocation under the reduced scope. Operators who ceased operations have been removed from this list. Operators who are now exempt under the new non-commercial de minimis (under 1,000tCO2 per annum calculated on the basis of full scope) still appear in this table. However owing to their exempt status these operators are not due free allowances and as such their Aircraft Operator Holding Account (AOHA) will be marked as excluded in the registry meaning that no transactions can be carried out and no free allowances will be deposited. If you believe you are no longer due any allowances as a result of the changes or you wish to seek further clarification as to your new free allowance allocation please contact the Environment Agency aviation helpdesk ETAviationHelpenvironment-agency. gov. uk . Historic information Please visit the DECC EU ETS legislation page to see UK legislation and EU Regulations . Please visit the National Archives version of the Aviation in the EU Emissions Trading System web pages to see information relating to aviationaviation appeals previously available on the DECC website. Small Emitter and Hospital Opt-out Scheme The UKs Small Emitter and Hospital Opt-out Scheme allows eligible installations to be excluded from Phase 3 (2013 to 2020) of the EU ETS. The scheme has been approved by the European Commission. Article 27 of the EU ETS Directive enables small emitters and hospitals to be excluded from the EU ETS. with the primary aim of reducing the administrative burdens on these installations. This acknowledges that the administrative costs faced by smaller emitters under the EU ETS are disproportionately high per tonne of CO2, in comparison to the costs for large emitting installations. The Directive requires that excluded installations are subject to a domestic scheme that will deliver an equivalent contribution to emission reductions as the EU ETS . The UKs opt-out scheme was designed in consultation with industry and aims to offer a simple, deregulatory alternative to the EU ETS whilst maintaining the incentives for emission reductions. We estimate that the scheme will offer savings of up to 39 million to industry over Phase III. The opt-out scheme offers deregulatory savings through: the replacement of a requirement to surrender allowances with an emissions reduction target simplified monitoring, reporting and verification requirements (MRV), including the removal of the requirement for third party verification no requirement to hold an active registry account less burdensome rules for target adjustment following an increase in installation capacity Further details on the scheme are contained in the documents listed below. Please note that these documents will be updated later in 2015. The consultations referred to in the Frequently asked questions document are now closed. The UKs Small Emitter and Hospital Opt-out Scheme (document updated on 25 March 2013 following agreement of the EU Registries Regulation 2012) Participants in the opt-out scheme Operators of installations that are excluded from the EU ETS and participating in the Opt-out Scheme should refer to the document European Union Emissions Trading System (EU ETS ) Phase III: Guidance for installations How to comply with the EU ETS and Small Emitter and Hospital Opt-out Scheme . The application period for the opt-out scheme ran from 23 May to 18 July 2012. Operators of 247 installations were approved to participate in the opt-out scheme by the European Commission as excluded from the EU ETS . The EU ETS Directive does not provide for further installations to join the opt-out scheme. Previous information on the development of the scheme including, the application period, policy development and the small emitters workshop held on the 12 June 2012, can be viewed on the National Archives website.
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