Expanding the ETS to the energy from waste and waste incineration
This consultation is open for responses
Respond to this consultationSummary
DESNZ proposes expanding the UK ETS to cover waste incineration facilities, adding carbon costs to energy-from-waste operations. The consultation closes 2 August 2024 and seeks views on scope, thresholds, monitoring requirements, and cap adjustments. This affects waste-to-energy plants that generate electricity as a byproduct of incineration.
Why it matters
This adds carbon pricing to waste-to-energy facilities, potentially raising their generation costs relative to other sources. The proposal treats a symptom of expensive waste disposal rather than addressing fundamental waste or energy market structures.
Key facts
- •Consultation deadline extended to 2 August 2024
- •Covers energy-from-waste and waste incineration facilities
- •Includes options for thresholds, exemptions, and monitoring requirements
- •Considers potential waste diversion to landfill or export
Timeline
Areas affected
Related programmes
Memo
> We have extended the consultation deadline by 2 weeks to allow for further engagement with stakeholders after the election. It will now close on 2 August 2024. The UK ETS Authority is seeking input on proposals for expanding the UK ETS to the waste sector. We have previously announced our intention to expand the scope of the UK ETS to waste incineration facilities. This consultation seeks views on our proposals to inform implementation details. In particular, it proposes options and/or seeks views on: * The scope of the scheme, including which activities are covered, thresholds for inclusion and exemptions, * Participating in the scheme, including requirements for operators, monitoring, reporting and verification, and guidance, * Impacts of the scheme and risks, including diversion of waste to landfill and waste export, decarbonisation pathways for customers, cost pass through to customers and equality considerations, * How to adjust the UK ETS cap for waste, and * How the UK ETS could potentially incentivise investment in heat networks. [Read the consultation document and analytical annex on GOV.UK](https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/uk-emissions-trading-scheme-scope-expansion-waste).