UK ETS
The United Kingdom Emissions Trading System (UK ETS)
The United Kingdom Emissions Trading System (UK ETS) follows on from the established European Union Emissions Trading Scheme. The original scheme was designed as a tool to reduce industrial carbon emissions to combat climate change. Since leaving the EU, the UK have established a standalone scheme covering industry in the United Kingdom following a similar format to the European Scheme.
The Cap and Trade Principle
UK ETS operates on a ‘cap and trade’ principle: A cap of the total amount of greenhouse gases is set by the system with a gradual reduction applied year on year to ensure a fall in overall emissions. Installations taking part in the scheme either receive a free allocation based on historical usage, or product benchmarks, or need to buy allowances which can then be traded or used as required.
We Help You Manage Compliance
The EU ETS scheme began in 2005, and was replaced by the UK ETS in January 2021. The first phase of the UK ETS will run from 2021 - 2030. Carbon Focus can help your organisation to manage its compliance with UK ETS whether you are new to the scheme or a long established participant. We can tailor a management service to suit your needs or help out with one off compliance activities, these activities include:
New permit applications
Whether you are entirely new to the scheme or re-entering the scheme after a period of time out of the scheme it can be a complex process completing all the necessary documentation, Carbon Focus can work with you to ensure that you have taken all the necessary steps to remain compliant.
New entrant reserve applications
In order to obtain access to the free allocation of allowances that you may be entitled to it is necessary to complete an application process to the new entrant reserve. Carbon Focus can assist in completion of the application document and work with you to achieve verification of these figures for submission to the competent authority.
Full compliance management
A fully comprehensive compliance management service can include everything from data collection, collation and submission to being a named representative on your registry account to assist with surrendering of allowances. This service allows you to dedicate your time to operational needs whilst remaining confident that your UK ETS compliance activities are being well looked after. The service can be fully tailored to your needs but will usually include site visits as necessary, reviews and quarterly reports along with full support through the external verification process.
External compliance reviews
Carbon Focus can act as an independent external auditor to review your current permit and procedures and ensure that your site is operating in line with the requirements of the scheme.
Find Out If You Qualify
Sites that qualify for a UK ETS permit but fail to apply for one can be issued with enforcement notices and penalties by the local Competent Authority. If you would like to discuss whether you are over the qualification threshold please contact us and we can conduct a simple review to ascertain whether you need to apply for a permit.
Fully Qualified UK ETS Verifier
As a fully qualified UK ETS Verifier Sorcha has extensive knowledge of the scheme and can provide a bespoke service to suit your requirements.