EU ETS & the Aviation Sector
GASTEC at CRE (GaC)
Background
THE EU Emissions Trading Scheme (EU ETS) is one of the key policies introduced by the European Union to help meet their greenhouse gas emissions reduction targets. In October 2008 the European Council decided to make it obligatory for aircraft operators flying to or taking off from EU airports, to participate in the CO2 emissions trading scheme according to the Directive 2008/101/EC published on 13th January 2009. The Directive is being transposed into law by each Member State.
Consultation on the Transposition of the Directive into UK Law
The Departments of Transport (DoT) and Energy and Climate Change (DECC) published a joint report on responses to the first consultation of the EU ETS Aviation Directive. Respondents queried the selection criteria for aircraft operators to be included in the ETS as well as expressing views that the timescales were too short, that there seemed to be a disproportionate burden placed on smaller operators and that penalties for non-compliance were severe. Furthermore, aircraft operators requested urgent notification of the list of accredited verifiers so that they could make early contact and avoid any extra stress as deadlines approach.
c:sense Verification
c:sense, formed in 2005, is the specialist carbon verification arm of Gastec at CRE Ltd, a UKAS Accredited Body, and provides independent and informed support to participants in the EU ETS. One aim of this document is to introduce ourselves and offer our services to the UK regulated Aviation Industry.
The UK Situation
The Environment Agency (EA) is the Regulator for the EU ETS in the UK and this means it has a role to oversee the compliance of aircraft operators assigned to UK regulation. Introduction of the scheme is phased and although the first deadline (31st August 2009) for submission of monitoring plans has been relaxed, participants will still be required to monitor CO2 emissions from January 2010 by means of a monitoring plan that must be presented to the EA for acceptance in advance.
Each year, starting in March 2011, aircraft operators must report their emissions to the EA, and from 2012 they will have to surrender sufficient emission allowances, to offset reported emissions, or join in the auction to purchase the shortfall.
In a 'cap and trade' scheme such as the EU ETS, it is necessary to have accurate baseline data in order to request the right amount of allowances. These are issued free of charge initially providing that participants submit a benchmarking plan on time. The other crucial element is to develop a reliable emissions forecasting plan so that your company may trade effectively throughout the year and avoid panic buying at the end of each period.
How We Can Help
Gastec is an accredited carbon verification company. Our c:sense team has worked hard to forge excellent relationships with both clients and the Regulator during their involvement in the UK's own ETS prior to Phases 1 and 2 of the EU ETS. Furthermore we are aware that aviation is a 'special case' and our extensive work with the Ministry of Defence, together with dealing with some of the UK's tougher sites, has given us a good grounding in steering non-typical organisations towards compliance.
c:sense stands for carbon sense and common sense. This is reflected in our straightforward approach to a potentially complex subject. We believe that working closely with you in order to understand the way you operate, is the best way to get a robust monitoring and reporting platform that not only fits in with your established business systems, but also allows the smooth transition to verification and acceptance of your reports by the Regulator.
Our services include:
- Checking your level of involvement in the scheme and offering opt-out assistance if required
- Benchmarking and free allowances advice
- Help with writing monitoring and reporting plans
- Design or fine tuning of monitoring and reporting processes
- Collation of fuel and carbon data
- In-house trial verification and health check report
- Verification of carbon emissions - deadline 31st March 2011 (for 2010 benchmarking year)
- Advice on future improvements to methodology
What Do You Do Next?
Despite the delay to the first deadline of 31st August, the benchmarking year is still 2010 so the EA advise operators to continue their preparations and not wait for clarification of points raised during the consultation process. We completely agree with this advice and we would like to offer you an early initial consultation so that we can compare notes, ensure that you don't miss out on free allowances, and steer clear of any penalties. During our visit we can discuss how we can integrate best with your internal team to provide the most cost-effective solution to your participation in the EU ETS.
Contact the c:sense verification team today...
Business Development - David Parsons and James Verlaque
Lead verifiers - Lesley Thomas and John Tucker
