EU Emissions Trading Scheme (EU ETS)

In the EU, energy-intensive companies have had to calculate their greenhouse gas emissions since 2005 (and air transport since 2012 and shipping from 2022) and have them verified annually by an accredited verification body. If the CO2 certificates allocated by the state are not sufficient, companies must purchase additional CO2 certificates. European emissions trading covers around 40 percent of the EU’s total greenhouse gas emissions.

EU Emissions Trading Scheme (EU ETS)

In the EU, energy-intensive companies have had to calculate their greenhouse gas emissions since 2005 (and air transport since 2012 and shipping from 2022) and have them verified annually by an accredited verification body. If the CO2 certificates allocated by the state are not sufficient, companies must purchase additional CO2 certificates. European emissions trading covers around 40 percent of the EU’s total greenhouse gas emissions.

Around 11,000 stationary facilities such as power plants, refineries and steelworks are affected by emissions trading. V Companies that are subject to emissions trading must draw up a monitoring concept that complies with the requirements of the EU Monitoring Regulation EU 2018/2067 and describes the monitoring methodology and emissions data management. As the complex requirements of emissions reporting are constantly changing, it is increasingly difficult for companies to always comply with new developments in a timely and compliant manner.

National emissions trading

Since October 1, 2022, the National Emissions Trading Act (NEHG 2022) has been in force in Austria, which regulates national emissions trading for sectors outside the EU Emissions Trading Scheme (buildings, transport, parts of industry). Trading participants (e.g. mineral oil companies, gas suppliers) must acquire certificates in order to obtain the right to place certain substances (e.g. mineral oil, fuels and heating fuels, coal) on the market.

According to the NEHG 2022, the companies concerned must carry out CO2 monitoring, determine the annual CO2 emissions caused and have these verified by an accredited inspection body. According to the NEHG, affected companies must submit a simplified greenhouse gas emissions report by 31.12.2023 during the introductory phase. From January 1, 2026, CO2 emissions must be determined in accordance with a monitoring plan and verified annually by an accredited testing body.

Our offer

We will be happy to support you in setting up and implementing your monitoring concept and in selecting an accredited inspection body, as well as in all other issues relating to emissions trading.

Our experience dating back to the start of EU emissions trading in 2005 guarantees you high-quality technical support and uncomplicated verification and processing with the authorities.

In contrast to the existing EU emissions trading system, the NEHG 2022 is not a pure emissions certificate trading system to begin with, but a system that is to be gradually developed into a trading system. There is also a fixed price phase until December 31, 2025, during which the CO2 price will increase annually from EUR 30 to EUR 55 per tonne. The “market phase”, which provides for free trading of CO2 certificates, will then begin on January 1, 2026.