The German Emission Allowance Trading Authority (DEHSt) at the Federal Environmental Agency (UBA) has published figures today on emissions from businesses participating in emissions trading. According to the numbers, actual emissions in 2005 were about 9 million (mn) tons carbon dioxide (CO₂) less than the average during the 2000-2002 base period. The reason for the reduction is twofold: firstly, technical measures to reduce CO₂ emissions were introduced at a number of facilities; and secondly, production in plants and in sectors that produce high levels of CO₂ was shifted to newer and more efficient facilities. Prof. Dr. Andreas Troge, UBA President, declared, “Emissions trading is working— in the first year businesses have saved some 9 mn tons (t) carbon dioxide and made a real contribution to climate protection.”

According to the figures published by DEHSt, actual emissions in 2005 were roughly 474 mn t CO2. This is some four percent, or 21 mn t fewer than the emissions allowances allocated for 2005 as well as 9 mn t less CO₂ than the average in the 2000-2002 base period. Two thirds of all facilities produced fewer emissions than permitted in their allowances, and one third emitted more CO₂ than was allocated to them free of charge. The difference of approx. 21 mn emission certificates is, according to an UBA analysis, traceable to both the climate protection efforts made by participating businesses (9 mn t) and the effect of special rules contained in the Federal Allocation Act 2007 (12 mn t).

The vast majority of the 12 mn t surplus supply stemming from special regulations will not, however, be available on the market. The surplus owes mainly to inflated production forecasts made by businesses and will be redeemed by DEHSt as soon as the European Court in Strasbourg rules in favor of the Federal Republic of Germany (such is the assumption of the Federal Government) in the ongoing case brought against it regarding the permissibility of ex post adjustments.

Compared to other EU member states whose non-compliance in some cases is in the double-digit percentile range, Germany is practically on target. The difference between allocation and actual emissions produced after ex post adjustments are made will amount to about 2 percent.

Businesses participating in emissions trading must report on their CO₂ emissions once a year. One element of these comprehensive reports is verification of total emissions by independent experts. This data provides the basis for the release of emissions certificates by operators. The much more detailed emissions reports are reviewed by DEHSt. The status of the release of emissions certificates by individual companies is posted at Public Reports of the Registry .

Note:

An analysis (in German) based on verified data of total CO₂ emissions in 2005 from facilities obliged to engage in emissions trading is available.

The status of compliance of every facility engaged in emissions trading has been published in the electronic emissions trading registry: Public Reports of the Registry

The press release issued by the European Commission on emissions data in all EU member states is at
http://europa.eu.int/rapid/pressReleasesAction.do?reference=IP/06/612&format=HTML&aged=0&language=EN&guiLanguages=en