DESNZ publishes UK Emissions Trading Scheme policy overview
The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) has published a policy overview of the UK Emissions Trading Scheme (UK ETS), detailing recent developments and upcoming changes. The overview outlines the UK ETS' role in UK decarbonisation, its policy objectives, operational framework and the approach of the UK ETS Authority in developing the scheme. The document confirms plans to expand the scheme to maritime transport from July 2026 and waste incineration from 2028, alongside plans to integrate greenhouse gas removals by 2029. Following the May 2025 UK-EU agreement to work towards linking their respective ETSs, DESNZ confirms it will conclude its free allocation review by the end of 2025. The overview also covers consultations on extending the scheme's cap beyond 2030 and adjusting free allocation rules for sectors covered by the UK Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (UK CBAM), which is set to take effect in January 2027.