The EU Emissions Trading Scheme (EU ETS) is one of the policies introduced across the EU to tackle emissions of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases, in an effort to combat the serious threat of climate change. The scheme began on 1 January 2005. The first phase ran from 2005-2007 and the second phase runs from 2008-2012 to coincide with the first Kyoto commitment period. The scheme works on a "Cap and Trade" basis. All 27 EU governments are required to set an emission cap for all installations covered by the scheme. Each installation is allocated allowances for the particular commitment period. The number of allowances allocated to each installation for any given period is determined on the basis of the National Allocation Plan. Anyone not covered by the scheme that wishes to hold allowances will be able to open an account on the registry.
Installations or parts of installations used for R&D and testing of new products and processes are not covered by the Schedule I of S.I. 437 of 2004 Regulation.
The threshold values given below generally refer to production capacities or outputs. Where you carry out several activities falling under the same subheading in the same installation or on the same site, the capacities of these activities are added together.
Energy activities:
Combustion installations with a rated thermal input exceeding 20 MW (except hazardous or municipal waste installations) Mineral oil refineries Coke ovens
Metal ore (including sulphide ore) roasting or sintering installations Installations for the production of pig iron or steel (primary or secondary fusion) including continuous casting, with a capacity exceeding 2.5 tonnes per hour
Mineral industry:
Installations for the production of cement clinker in rotary kilns with a production capacity exceeding 500 tonnes per day or lime in rotary kilns with a production capacity exceeding 50 tonnes per day or in other furnaces with a production capacity exceeding 50 tonnes per day Installations for the manufacture of glass including glass fibre with a melting capacity exceeding 20 tonnes per day Installations for the manufacture of ceramic products by firing, in particular roofing tiles, bricks, refractory bricks, tiles, stoneware or porcelain, with a production capacity exceeding 75 tonnes per day, and/or with a kiln capacity exceeding 4 m3 and with a setting density per kiln exceeding 300 kg/m3.
Other activities
Industrial plants for the production of
Pulp from timber or other fibrous materials Paper and board with a production capacity exceeding 20 tonnes per day
Find out more here about the Emissions Trading Registry.
