F.A.Q. - UK ETS

1. Would a new "annual emissions monitoring plan" be required for the first year of UK ETS or is the last approved plan for EU ETS remain valid?

An Emissions Monitoring Plan (EMP) is required to comply with the UK Emissions Trading Scheme (UK ETS). An aircraft operator does not need to apply for an EMP if they are already regulated by the UK under the EU ETS. If they are not regulated by the UK for EU ETS, they must contact their UK ETS regulator and apply for an EMP.

Please click on Read More for the official link.

2. Which flight routes will be included in the UK ETS coverage or under Aviation Activity?

The UK ETS imposes surrendering obligations on the following routes:

- UK domestic flights (London to Manchester)
- Flights departing from the UK to aerodromes within EEA states. (Birmingham to Madrid)
- Flights between the UK and Gibraltar. (Aberdeen to Gibraltar)
- Flights departing from Great Britain and arriving in Switzerland. (London to Geneva, Bristol to Zurich). Note: Great Britain comprises England, Wales, and Scotland.

- Flights departing from the UK to territories of EEA member states, including Ceuta and Melilla (Spain), the Åland Islands (Finland), and Jan Mayen (Norway).
- Additionally, (Helicopter) flights to offshore installations will be included in the UK ETS.

3. What is the duration for the implementation of the UK ETS?

Only Phase 1 of the UK ETS has been announced as of now and it is slated to run from 2021 to 2030, with two full system reviews.

4. Would offsets be included in the UK ETS?

No, offsets are not to be included in the UK ETS from the beginning. The UK government will revisit the inclusion of offsets during the first review.

5. What is the UK ETS’s aviation cap on emissions?

The Authority have decided to reset the UK ETS cap for 2021-2030 to make the UK ETS consistent with UK’s trajectory towards Net Zero by 2050.

6. Would the UK ETS be linked with the EU ETS/CH ETS?

In the coming time, the UK ETS might be interconnected with the EU ETS if both parties find the agreement satisfactory. We will keep you informed of any developments in this regard.

7. Would ETSWAP be used for reporting as was the case under EU ETS?

ETSWAP has been used for the UK ETS from the beginning. However, starting from the 2023 reporting period, a new portal named "Manage your UK Emissions Trading Scheme Reporting Service (METS)" will be introduced for the UK ETS.

8. What are the deadlines envisaged for compliance?

The UK ETS compliance deadlines would be aligned with EU ETS requirements.

For the table of all compliance deadlines, please click read more.

9. What is the UK ETS’s position on the allocation of allowances?

As per the UK Government Legislation released on 17th December 2020, the UK Emissions Trading Scheme (UK ETS) will allocate a proportion of free allowances to qualifying aircraft operators based on their historical aviation activity. The distribution of free allocation will be in line with UK ETS aviation activity emissions, rather than full-scope flight emissions. The deadline for the UK ETS free allocation entitlement was 31st March 2021.

10. What are the associated exemptions and thresholds under the UK ETS ?

Commercial and non-commercial aircraft operators would not be subject to any obligations if they meet some criteria. Click on read more for details.

11. Frequently Asked Questions about EU ETS and Swiss ETS

Find below the link for the most frequently asked questions on the EU ETS and Swiss ETS.