ETS to be strengthened, implementation measures harmonised

摘要

The European Emission Trading Scheme (ETS) will be reinforced, will cover a larger number of greenhouse gases, and will concern all large polluting companies. The proposal for a revised regulation, adopted on 23 January, brings two major changes to the scheme currently in force.rnFirstly, it establishes a ceiling for quotas at European Union level and no longer by member state, and secondly, the allocation of emission quotas will take place, except in exceptional cases, through auction sales. These quotas will be progressively reduced to reach a reduction of 21% in emissions under the ETS by 2020 in comparison to 2005.rnThe scheme currently covers almost 10,000 industrial plants in the EU, including electric power stations, petrol refineries and steelworks, which represent almost half of the EU's CO_2 emissions. In the new system, more than 40% of total emissions will be subjected to the ETS, which will be extended to new sectors includingrnchemicals and aluminium. Plants emitting less than 10,000 tonnes of CO_2 will be exempt.