Asked by: Lord Weir of Ballyholme (Democratic Unionist Party - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask His Majesty's Government when ferry companies and the maritime sector will be provided with all of the technical details required for the implementation of the Emissions Trading Scheme.
Answered by Lord Whitehead - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
The digital system for emissions monitoring and reporting includes a step-by-step process to help operators understand and meet their obligations. For at least 96% of operators, free voluntary onboarding onto this system, and free assessment of their application for an emissions monitoring plan, has been available since November 2025.
Further guidance will be published in due course. In the meantime, the UK Emissions Trading Scheme Authority and the regulators of the scheme will continue to engage with the sector, including through newsletters, question and answer documents, and videos, to support operators. Operators can also direct queries to their regulator’s helpdesk.
Asked by: Lord Weir of Ballyholme (Democratic Unionist Party - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask His Majesty's Government whether they plan to carry out an economic impact assessment for Northern Ireland as part of the Emissions Trading Scheme review in 2028.
Answered by Lord Whitehead - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
The Government will be evaluating the decarbonisation and wider impacts of the maritime regime, including on consumers and businesses, in a review in 2028.
The full scope and detailed approach to the 2028 review of the UK Emissions Trading Scheme are still subject to agreement by the UK Emissions Trading Scheme Authority.
While the Government cannot therefore confirm at this stage the specific analytical products that will accompany that review, it will ensure that proportionate and robust analysis is produced to inform that review and support Authority decision‑making.
Asked by: Lord Weir of Ballyholme (Democratic Unionist Party - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the compatibility with the United Kingdom Internal Market Act 2020 of the 50 per cent deduction from the UK Emissions Trading Scheme surrender obligation for Northern Ireland and the full exemption for Scottish islands.
Answered by Lord Whitehead - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
The UK Emissions Trading Scheme applies a UK‑wide regulatory framework and is non‑discriminatory. Adjustments were designed to be consistent with the effective operation of the UK internal market.
The 50% surrender deduction for voyages between Great Britain and Northern Ireland ensures carbon pricing obligation equivalence on voyages across the Irish Sea, avoiding potential re-routing via Ireland and assisting in mitigating against any disproportionate impacts on businesses and consumers in Northern Ireland.
The exemption for ships operating Scottish ferry services reflects the unique challenges faced by those communities and the statutory duties on the Scottish Government to consider those communities.
Asked by: Lord Weir of Ballyholme (Democratic Unionist Party - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask His Majesty's Government why ferry companies and the maritime sector have been given six months before the implementation of the extension of the Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS) compared to the European Union's ETS three year phase-in period.
Answered by Lord Whitehead - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
The UK Emissions Trading Scheme Authority has since July 2023, and throughout extensive consultation with stakeholders, signalled its intent to include domestic maritime emissions in the scheme from 2026.
The vast majority (98%) of ships within scope are already required to monitor and report emissions in a very similar way under other policies, and so they should have in place the necessary equipment and processes to support compliance.
For the new obligation of surrendering UK allowances, the first deadline for maritime emissions will be 30 April 2028, providing significant additional time for maritime operators to prepare to comply.