With the entry into force of the agreement on the linking of the Swiss and EU emissions trading schemes (ETS), aircraft operators are also integrated into the Swiss ETS. The EU has included aviation in its ETS since 2012.
Emissions trading is a quantity control instrument applying the 'cap-and-trade' principle. A maximum quantity of emission allowances available in the scheme ('cap') is determined based on aircraft operators' transport performance (measured in tonne-kilometres) in 2018.
The quantity of emission allowances allocated to each aircraft operator free of charge is calculated based on a benchmark and that operator's transport performance in 2018. In addition, a certain quantity of emission allowances will be auctioned off and a set volume of emission allowances will be available as a reserve for new or fast-growing operators. Emission allowances are freely tradable ('trade') and can be surrendered to the competent authority to cover the CO2 emissions caused, or sold to other ETS participants.
The linking of the Swiss and EU ETSs means that Swiss and European emission allowances are mutually recognised. Anyone obliged to participate in the Swiss or EU ETS can use emission allowances from both schemes to cover their emissions. This creates a large, liquid market for emission allowances and a level playing field for all participants.
Participation in the Swiss ETS
Aircraft operators that carry out domestic flights in Switzerland or flights from Switzerland to the European Economic Area (EEA) are obliged to participate. Flights from the EEA to Switzerland are covered by the EU ETS. In line with arrangements in the EU, exemptions for special flights (e.g. military, rescue or research flights) and thresholds apply in the Swiss ETS. The thresholds are 10,000 tonnes of CO2 per year or 243 flights in each of three consecutive four-month periods for commercial aircraft operators and 1,000 tonnes of CO2 per year for non-commercial aircraft operators. If the aircraft operator has obligations under the EU ETS, these thresholds do not apply.
Free-of-charge allocation
For every aircraft operator that has submitted a verified tonne-kilometre report, the FOEN calculates the quantity of emission allowances to be allocated free of charge based on that operator's transport performance in 2018. The same benchmark applies as in the EU.
If an aircraft operator does not carry out any ETS-relevant flights in a particular year and thus is not required to surrender any emission allowances, it must return the emission allowances allocated free of charge which it received for the year in question.
Auctions
The FOEN regularly auctions off emission allowances via the Swiss Emissions Trading Registry (EHR). Those entitled to take part in these auctions include aircraft operators participating in the Swiss and EU ETSs and other companies from the EEA admitted to bid in auctions in the EU. Anyone wishing to take part in a Swiss EHR auction must have an account with the Swiss EHR.
Detailed information about the auctions can be found in the fact sheet on auctions and in the General Auction Terms and Conditions (available in German and French at https://www.bafu.admin.ch/emissionsregistry). The dates, auction volumes, maximum and minimum bid quantities of the next auction and the results of the auctions already carried out are published in the EHR (https://www.emissionsregistry.admin.ch).
Reporting and obligation to surrender emission allowances
By 31 March each year, aircraft operators must report on their CO2 emissions for the previous year to the competent authority in the administering state (see 'One-stop shop'). They then have until 30 April to surrender sufficient emission allowances or, if permitted, emission-reduction certificates, to cover these CO2 emissions. This is done in the emissions trading registry of the competent authority. Aircraft operators administered by Switzerland surrender their allowances/certificates in the Swiss EHR, while operators administered by a foreign authority do so in the Union Registry.
Should recognition of European emission allowances in the Swiss ETS be temporarily suspended in accordance with the agreement with the EU, aircraft operators for whom it is not, as a result, economically viable to meet their obligations under the ETS can submit an application for assessment as a case of hardship.
One-stop shop
In line with the 'one-stop shop' philosophy, aircraft operators who have obligations under both the Swiss and EU ETSs are only administered by one state. The competent authority in that state is responsible for all tasks related to the administration of the operator under both ETSs. This includes taking receipt of the annual emission reports, determining whether the operator has met its commitments and enforcing the operator's obligations.
Swiss cap for aviation
| Aviation cap |
for allocation free of charge |
for auctions |
for the special reserve |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 1'310'035 | 1'074'229 | 196'505 | 0 |
Further information
Templates for drawing up monitoring plans and monitoring reports are available under 'Documents'. Under 'Law' you will find the Linking Agreement, the partially revised CO2 Act together with the text of the Ordinance and the Explanatory Report on the partially revised CO2 Ordinance.
If you have any questions, please contact: emissions-trading@bafu.admin.ch
Last modification 03.12.2019
