Aviation EU Emissions Trading System (EU ETS)

DECC, Department for Transport and the Devolved Administrations are consulting on proposed amendments to the UK regulations which cover the EU Emissions Trading System (EU ETS) aviation. These amendments reflect the changes which came into force across the European Union on 30 April 2014. 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 on both the draft statutory instrument and accompanying consultation-stage Impact Assessment. The consultation will be of particular interest to aircraft operators, aerodrome operators, verifiers, other participants in the EU ETS and environmental groups. The consultation will close on 22 September and you can respond by downloading the consultation response form and e-mailing it to Euets.consultation@decc.gsi.gov.uk

Details of the underpinning EU legislation and related detailed FAQs can be found on the European Commission: Reducing emissions from aviation web page.