EU ETS consultation on amendments to greenhouse gas regulations 2012

This consultation seeks views on proposed changes to the implementation of the EU Emissions Trading System (EU ETS) in the UK. These changes are intended to:

• introduce rules for the allocation of free allowances to installations in the UK’s small emitters and hospital opt-out scheme that must return to the full EU ETS because they have reached the upper emissions threshold for the opt out scheme; and
• clarify the existing rules on the start date of a permanent cessation of regulated activities by an operator in the EU ETS in the circumstances where a temporary cessation becomes permanent.

The consultation runs for six weeks until 28 August 2015 and is being conducted by DECC in England for the UK Government, and on behalf of the Northern Ireland Executive, the Scottish Government and the Welsh Government

We welcome responses from any organisation or individual but this consultation will be of particular interest to operators of installations in the EU ETS small emitters and hospital opt-out scheme.

Following the consultation we propose to lay legislation before Parliament with the intention that the changes take effect by early 2016.

By Email: eu.ets@decc.gsi.gov.uk

By post:

EU ETS Team, Department of Energy & Climate Change, 3 Whitehall Place, London, SW1A 2AW

For consultees in Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales please copy responses to:

By email: climate.change@doeni.gov.uk

By post: Environmental Policy Division, Department of the Environment, 6th Floor, Goodwood House, 44 - 48 May Street, Belfast, BT1 4NN

By email: euets@scotland.gsi.gov.uk

By post: Climate Change Division, Scottish Government, 1G Dockside, Victoria Quay, Edinburgh, EH6 6QQ

By email: rppmailbox@wales.gsi.gov.uk

By post: Radioactivity and Pollution Prevention Branch, People and Environment Division, Welsh Government, Cathays Park, Cardiff, CF10 3NQ