Archives September 2013
Commission clears way for harmonised free allocation to industry for phase three
The European Commission adopted a decision on Member States’ national implementation measures (NIMs) for phase three of the EU Emissions Trading System (EU ETS).
The actual number of allowances handed out each year will be adjusted by a ‘cross-sectoral correction factor’ which will vary each year. This will ensure that the total amount handed out for free does not exceed a maximum set in the ETS Directive. The correction factor will be 5.73 % in 2013 and will thereafter increase gradually to 17.56% in 2020.
It is now for Member State authorities to take the necessary steps to distribute the free allowances to installations via their accounts in the Union registry. This will take around one to three months depending on the procedures to be followed in each Member State.
The original article is available in the EC web page.
Emissions trading: “opt-out” monitoring plans to be submitted by 30 September 2013
Starting from 1 January 2013, the European Emissions Trading System entered its third phase of implementation. Italy applies the new regulation defined by the European Directive 2009/29/EC with the Decree n. 30 of 13 March 2013, that defines simplified procedures for small installation that requested the exclusion (also called “opt-out”) from the ETS.
The Italian Competent Authority, with Deliberation 16/2013, has recently approved a list of 166 small emitters and their annual emissions cap, defining the new requirements and procedures to fulfill. To be compliant to the system, small emitters shall submit the Monitoring Plan, in the new simplified format, no later than 30 September 2013.
Emissions Trading: new proposal of the EC to include the maritime sector by 1st July 2015
On 28 June 2013, the European Commission issued a proposal for maritime transport regulation on the monitoring, reporting and verification of carbon dioxide emissions from shipping sector. The COM(2013) 480 Proposal was drawn after a public consultation occurred during 2010 (SWD(2013) 237 final), involving the main stakeholders: private companies, ship-owners, ports operators, trade unions, EU Regional and National public authorities and NGOs.
The Regulation lays down rules for the emissions management of ships arriving at, within or departing from ports under the jurisdiction of a Member State – transport by 1 July 2015 – in order to promote the reduction of CO2 emissions from maritime transport in a cost effective manner.
At present the European Emissions Trading System includes the most energy-intensive industries and aviation. The extension of the system to the maritime sector would significantly broaden the binding system to reduce GHG emissions in Europe.