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Accessing the Registry | Registry Support | Public Reports - Emissions Trading Registry |The National Registry System
The Environmental Protection Agency is responsible for establishing and maintaining a national emission trading registry.
Using the Registry
The operation of the EU Emissions Trading Scheme and of the Registry are governed by Directive 2003/87/EC establishing a scheme for greenhouse gas emission allowance trading, as amended by Directive 2004/101/EC in respect of the Kyoto Protocol’s project mechanisms.
These were transposed nationally through the European Communities (Greenhouse Gas Emission Trading) Regulations 2004 to 2005 (S.I. 437 of 2004 and S.I. 706 of 2005), and the Kyoto Protocol Flexible Mechanisms Regulation (S.I. 244 of 2006).
The technical and operational detail regarding the requirements for the implementation and operation of the Registry system are governed by Commission Regulation (EC) number 2216/2004 for a standardised and secured system of registries as amended by Commission Regulation (EC) number 916/2007 and Commission Regulation (EC) number 994/2008.
Other Relevant Legislation
Links between the EU Emissions Trading Scheme and the Kyoto Protocol
The Kyoto Protocol forms an umbrella under which national and regional schemes operate. The EU Emissions Trading Scheme is an example of a regional scheme in this context.
The initial amendment to the Emissions Trading Directive (2004/101/EC) often referred to as the Linking Directive further enhances the link between the Kyoto Protocol and the EU Emissions Trading Scheme.
1.1 Issuance of EUAs
In this phase of the EU ETS, EU Allowances (EUAs) are simply Assigned Amount Units (AAUs) that have been “tagged” as EU Allowances. In the registry these units are now titled EUA_AAU.
Compliance under EU ETS
Under the Emissions Trading Scheme, Operators must surrender sufficient units by 30 April of each year to cover its emissions during the preceding year.
In accordance with the Linking Directive, Operators under the EU ETS can only “use” certain unit types to comply with their obligations. The word “use” in this context always refers to the surrender transaction.
1.2 Units Eligible for Surrender
Operators can surrender the following units:
- EU Allowances (EUAs)
- Certified Emission Reduction Units (CERs)*
- Emission Reduction Units (ERUs)*
*The use of CERs and ERUs is restricted to a percentage limit of the allocation of allowances to each installation as specified in the National Allocation Plan.
1.3 Units NOT Eligible for Surrender
In accordance with the Linking Directive, Operators CANNOT surrender the following unit types:
- Assigned Amount Units (AAUs)
- Removal Units (RMUs)
- Temporary Certified Emission Reduction Units (tCERs)
- Long Term Certified Emission Reduction Units (lCERs)
1.4 Unit Holdings
In order to minimize the risk to our Operators, the Irish Registry will not allow the above unit types (listed in section 1.4) to be held in Operator Holding Accounts.
If an Operator wishes to hold and trade in these unit types, they can open a Person (Organisation) Holding Account in the National Registry.
1.5 Percentage Limits
In Ireland, the percentage limit has been specified on a sector basis as follows:
- General – 5%
- Cement – 11%
- Powergen – 11%
This percentage limit applies for each installation and is calculated as follows:
- Allocation x 5 years x relevant percentage limit = total units available for surrender;
- These units can be surrendered at one time or spread over the commitment period up to this surrender limit;
- For installations covering more than one sector, the percentage limit will be calculated on a pro rata basis by applying the correct percentage to the portion of the allocation determined in respect of each sector.
2. Glossary
- UNFCCC: The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change
- Kyoto Protocol: A Protocol to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change adopted in Kyoto, Japan, in December 1997. The Kyoto Protocol entered into force on 16 February 2005.
- Marrakesh Accords: The rules and requirements for implementation of the Kyoto Protocol.
- Annex I: The annex to the UNFCCC specifying which developed country Parties have committed themselves to limiting anthropogenic emissions and enhancing their GHG sinks and reservoirs.
- Non-Annex I: Parties not included in Annex I to the UNFCCC (i.e. developing countries).
- Annex B: Targets. The annex to the Kyoto Protocol that specifies the emission limitation and reduction commitment for each Party included in Annex I as a percentage of that Party’s emissions in its base year or period. (EU 27 + European Community, USA [1], Canada, Japan, Switzerland, Croatia, New Zealand, Russian Federation, Ukraine, Norway, Australia, Iceland, Belarus).
- Joint Implementation (JI): Joint implementation is a project-based mechanism in which one Annex I Party can invest in a project that reduces emissions or enhances sequestration in another Annex I Party.
- Clean Development Mechanism: The CDM is also a project-based mechanism. CDM credits are issued in respect of project activities undertaken in non-Annex I countries.
3. Units
Assigned amount units (AAUs): issued by Annex B Parties on the basis of their assigned amount (equivalent to their target).
Removal units (RMUs): issued by Annex B Parties on the basis of their land use, land-use change and forestry (LULUCF) activities.
Emission reduction units (ERUs): converted from AAUs or RMUs by Annex B Parties on the basis of JI projects.
Certified emissions reductions (CERs): issued in respect of CDM project activities.
Temporary certified emission reductions (tCERs): issued in respect of afforestation or reforestation CDM project activities.
Long-term certified emission reductions (lCERs): issued in respect of afforestation or reforestation CDM project activities.
EU Allowance (EUA): issued by EU Member States by converting one AAU into one EUA for the purposes of participation in the EU Emissions Trading Scheme (in the registry now titled EUA_AAU).
[1] Has not ratified the Kyoto Protocol