EU ETS (EU Emissions Trading System)

The EU ETS is the first and largest international scheme designed to reduce greenhouse gas emissions across all industries. It forms the basis of European Union policy to combat climate change by allowing EU Member States to buy and trade emissions within a capped allowance. Work with us to verify and report on your emissions and gain credibility through compliance. 

The EU ETS aims to help EU Member States to limit or reduce their greenhouse gas emissions. It allows participants to buy or sell emission allowances so that cuts can be achieved at a low cost. The overall level of allowed emissions is capped, which is why organizations are required to report on their emissions annually. Emissions allowances are treated as currency – one allowance gives the holder the right to emit one ton of CO2 or the equivalent of another greenhouse gas. The scheme was first launched in 2005 to monitor large energy providers and companies with large energy consumption. In 2008 this was extended to include other industries and organizations with high emissions as well as aircraft operators. 

• Avoid the penalties of non-compliance through verification
• Gain greater credibility with third party verification
• Reassure stakeholders that your emissions data is accurate
• Demonstrate consistency and transparency in your reporting
• Get professional endorsement from a UKAS accredited body

This is the process that makes sure all reported greenhouse gas emissions are accurate. You can identify potential issues when you work with us as we start the process before the end of the compliance period. This means you can put in place measures to resolve any issues ahead of the reporting deadline. We work with organizations across single and multiple sites as well as trade associations. And the process can be tailored to create a unique verification plan to meet your business needs. We will also appoint a BSI verifier who will guide you throughout the process below.

1. We carry out a strategic review to get an overview of your activities. This also helps us to understand the main sources of your carbon emissions. We can then design your verification plan.

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2. Next we monitor and assess your reporting to establish your existing level of compliance. This means we carry out checks to confirm that your data is reliable and you have the correct management controls in place.

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3. We are then able to submit your emissions calculations for verification.

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4. Your report is assessed by a BSI verifier who has not been involved in the monitoring and reporting process. This provides an independent technical review to give you greater confidence in the integrity of your report.  

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All aircraft operators that have flights that start and end within the EU are eligible for inclusion in the trading scheme. As of 2012 all such organizations must report emissions annually. These reports need to be verified by an accredited body and shared with the EU ETS regulator by 31 March 2013.  Airlines are eligible for a free allocation of allowances. These are only allocated if an operator’s 2010 baseline emissions data is verified. We have recently provided verification services to Monarch Airlines, Sony Aviation, Thomas Cook Airlines and Virgin Atlantic Media.

The EU ETS can apply to your business, regardless of size. And smaller companies can also be responsible for high greenhouse gas emissions. But verifying these emissions and complying with the trading scheme has benefits. So you can work with us to find out what these are. We understand that you might have tighter budgets and less time to invest in reporting, that’s why we work with you to overcome any obstacles you may face – allowing you to keep a close eye on your carbon emissions while your company grows. 

Make your emissions reporting even more accurate by measuring the impact of your goods and services on climate change. PAS 2050 is the first internationally available framework to measure the carbon footprint of your specific products and supply chains. And it can be applied to all organizations of all sizes and sectors, helping you to identify ways to manage your resources more efficiently. 

The PAS 2060 standard specifies a four-stage process to demonstrate carbon neutrality. This involves:

• Assessment of GHG emissions based on accurate measurement data
• Reduction of emissions through a target-driven carbon management plan
• Offsetting of excess emissions, often by purchasing carbon credits
• Documentation and verification through qualifying explanatory statements and public disclosure.

Through independent BSI verification to PAS 2060, your business can demonstrate that it has met these requirements. You can show you are serious about sustainability, responding to the challenge of climate change and contributing to the UNSDGs, while enhancing your organization’s performance and resilience.