This report examines the effects of the EU Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS) on the business environment. While the main focus is the 2008-12 period with possible incremental improvements, the report also takes a strategic perspective by looking beyond 2012. The analysis begins with the question of whether the EU ETS can be expected to achieve the declared objectives to create the necessary incentives for the power and energy-intensive sector for behavioural changes in the short and medium term and to encourage investment in low-carbon generation technologies in the long term. It then asks whether and how both design and implementation might be adapted to improve the EU ETS.

The first detailed description and analysis of the European Union Emissions Trading Scheme.

This timely book addresses the need for further measures to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in the European Union, arguing that the EU Emissions Trading Scheme does not offer sufficient incentives for the carbon-intensive materials sector. It highlights the challenge that emissions from industries such as iron and steel, cement and aluminium, amongst others, pose to the EU’s commitment to significantly cut emissions by 2030.

Complying with the forthcoming tightening of CO2 emission allocations in the EU may mean big bills for the industries affected. In this special issue of Climate Policy journal, leading experts examine the impacts on competitiveness and the commercial incentives available from the CO2 allowance allocations under the methodologies, and whether - and if so at what stage - the ETS itself may need to be amended. The study is multidisciplinary, combining economic, legal and policy analysis with specific studies of impacts on electricity, cement and other industrial sectors and the allocation issues. It brings together the results of research conducted over the past two year from various research centres and consultancies in Europe, and in particular, work commissioned by the Carbon Trust and Climate Strategies Network. Through these, it presents the most comprehensive and detailed set of analyses yet conducted of the impacts of allocation on competitiveness - one of the most critical issues for the sectors affected and for the operation of the ETS.

First Published in 2006. Routledge is an imprint of Taylor & Francis, an informa company.