The third phase of the EU Emissio ns Trading Scheme commenced on 1 January 2013 and will run over an eight year period to the end of 2020. Following a major revision to the trading scheme, approved in 2009, the third phase is significantly different to the first two phases; key differences include –
1. a single EU-wide cap on emissions instead of twenty seven national caps;
2. auctioning, rather than free allocation , is now the default method of allocating allowances; and
3. in specific cases where allowances are still issued free of charge, harmonised allocation rules apply which are based on ambitious EU-wide benchmarks of emissions performance.
Competitiveness concerns are addressed in the case of installations deemed to be exposed to significant risk of carbon leakage. Where i nstallations concerned reach the relevant EU-wide benchmark in principle , they wi ll receive a free allocation of allowances. Installations that fall short of the benchmark will receive a proportionately lower allocation of free allowances compared to their emissions, and therefore must reduce their em issions or buy allowances.
Under Commission Decision 2010/2/EU dated 24 December 2009, the manufacture of cement is a sector deemed to be exposed to a significant risk of carbon leakage. As the third phase of the trading scheme is only operational for a matter of days, it would be premature to draw any conclusions regarding the appropriateness of the agreed EU-wide allocation methodology.