The trade in CO₂ emission rights is one of the main policy instruments within Europe for reducing greenhouse gas emissions. VITO described the use of emission trading in Flanders during the first (2005-2007) and second (2008-2012) trading period and the possible modifications for the third trading period (2013-2020) as commissioned by MIRA. The new study report also mapped all the emissions that fall under the stipulations of the European Emission Trading System (ETS), together with the corresponding energy consumption.
In 2008, 50 % of the total CO₂ emissions in Flanders were generated by ETS-installations. The vast majority of those installations are in the Industry and Energy sectors. For those 2 sectors 84 % and 94 % of CO₂ emissions are respectively attributed to (energetic) energy use under ETS-conditions. A few installations in Trade & Services also participate in emission trading, this only represents less than 1 % of the emissions for that sector.
 
This study report forms the basis for the annual monitoring of the greenhouse gas emissions in Flanders, divided between an ETS-fraction and a non-ETS fraction. An update for the 2009 emissions is provided for the publication of the MIRA indicator report 2010 (at the end of November).

European Environment Agency made an introduction movie: 'How does the emission trading scheme work?'

o You can read more about the use of emission trading in Flanders in the study report (summary).
o Contact at MIRA: Johan Brouwers (j.brouwers@vmm.be)