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EU Emissions Trading System (EU ETS) charges

We regulate the EU ETS in England and Wales and raise charges to recover the costs of this work.

The European Union Emissions Trading System (EU ETS) has been introduced across Europe to encourage businesses to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. In 2009 the EU ETS was expanded to include the aviation sector. The Department for Energy and Climate Change (DECC) has appointed the Environment Agency to regulate the scheme in England and Wales, as well as to maintain the trading Registries on behalf of the UK.  

The information provided here is only summary information. For full details please refer to the relevant charging guide:

Types of charge

For EU ETS permit holders

There are charges for applying for a new permit, as well as varying, transferring and surrender a permit. There is also an application charge for the New Entrant Reserve and hourly charges for an application to retain an allocation, and Regulation 30 work. There are also charges in respect of registry accounts and the purchase of digital certificates.

An annual subsistence charge is payable in April each year (based on your estimated emissions of carbon dioxide) which will cover our regulatory work for the financial year ahead.

For aircraft operators

There are currently application charges for an emission plan, benchmarking plan, and  application to the special reserve. There is also a charge for varying an emission plan, and an hourly charge where we are required to determine emissions on your behalf.

An annual subsistence charge is payable in January of each year (based on your estimated emissions of carbon dioxide) which covers the regulatory work we have done in the preceding calendar year. The subsistence charge is made up of two parts: a flat base charge, and a variable part which is adjusted according to the length of time you have a live emission plan in the relevant year. 

Payment methods

For information on how to pay application-type charges (e.g. for a new permit, variation, transfer, surrender, emission plan etc) please refer to the relevant charging guide.

If you receive an invoice from us for other charges the payment methods will be provided on the invoice.

Further information