The EU Emission Trading Scheme: National Allocation Patterns and Trading Flows

The paper evaluates the EUETS between 2005 and 2010, finding that while 2008 allocation caps were more stringent than the first trading period, a surplus of allowances later emerged due to the economic crisis. It notes that traded certificates represent a small portion of surrendered allowances, though this share grew in the second phase, and observes that some countries became net importers of EUAs despite having national surpluses.

• Allocation caps in 2008 demonstrated greater overall stringency than those in the first trading period, which the authors attribute to the increased influence of the European Commission. However, subsequent years saw a surplus of allowances caused by emission declines resulting from the economic crisis.
• Traded certificates constitute a small percentage of the total allowances surrendered across the EU, although this proportion increased during the second trading phase.
• Certain countries acted as net importers of European Allowance Units (EUAs) even when they possessed national surpluses. This phenomenon is attributed to internal allocation pattern differences, transfers between associate companies, or incorrect emission growth expectations.

APA

Climate Strategies (2011). The EU Emission Trading Scheme: National Allocation Patterns and Trading Flows. https://climatestrategies.org/publication/the-eu-emission-trading-scheme-national-allocation-patterns-and-trading-flows/

Chicago

Climate Strategies. The EU Emission Trading Scheme: National Allocation Patterns and Trading Flows. 2011. https://climatestrategies.org/publication/the-eu-emission-trading-scheme-national-allocation-patterns-and-trading-flows/.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=Climate Strategies |title=The EU Emission Trading Scheme: National Allocation Patterns and Trading Flows |date=1 November 2011 |url=https://climatestrategies.org/publication/the-eu-emission-trading-scheme-national-allocation-patterns-and-trading-flows/ |access-date=23 October 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{climatestrategies2011emission, author = {{Climate Strategies}}, title = {{The EU Emission Trading Scheme: National Allocation Patterns and Trading Flows}}, institution = {Climate Strategies}, year = {2011}, month = nov, url = {https://climatestrategies.org/publication/the-eu-emission-trading-scheme-national-allocation-patterns-and-trading-flows/}, urldate = {2026-10-23}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }