Germany is starting early auctions of emission allowances for the third trading period in 2013-2020 on 26/10/2012. In weekly auctions held every Friday, three million certificates will initially be available to stationary installations. By year’s end, some 23.5 million emission allowances in addition to those in the current second trading period will be auctioned on the European Energy Exchange (EEX) in Leipzig. Auctions of EU aviation allowances (EUAA) start on 31/10/2012.

The EU Member States are acting on a recommendation issued by the EU Commission in July 2011 to hold so-called ‘early auctions’ in 2012 of emission allowances which are due to be allocated in 2013 and 2014 and thus ensure a smooth transition between the two trading periods. The entire EU volume of certificates concerned is 120 million, of which Germany has 19.6 per cent, or some 23.5 million allowances.

Regular auctions of Germany’s share of EU aviation allowances start on 31/10/2012 in the form of spot contracts for 2012, not as early auctions for the 2013-2020 trading period. EEX will announce exact dates and volume of auctions.

Early auctions will be carried out by means of a single-round, sealed-bid and uniform-price format on the EEX energy exchange. The EEX won the bid to set up a transitory trading platform in February 2012. On 6/10/2012, the Federal Environment Agency, acting on behalf of the Federal Government, announced a call for tenders to establish a permanent auction platform for the third trading period in 2013-2020. The tender documents can be accessed on the Federal Environment Agency website (Project No. 23130).

The German Emissions Trading Authority (DEHSt)

The German Emissions Trading Authority at the Federal Environment Agency is the national authority entrusted with the implementation of emissions trading for stationary installations and for the aviation industry. Its mandate includes management of the allocation and issuance of emission allowances, revision of emissions reports and operation of the emissions trading registry. It is also in charge of the administration of the project-based mechanisms Joint Implementation and Clean Development Mechanism.