The European Union has set up several policies to combat climate change.  The European Climate Change Program (ECCP) was adopted in March 2000.  Its crown jewel is the EU's emissions trading scheme (ETS) which has started on January1, 2005.  On February 9, 2005 the Commission adopted first proposals concerning its plans for new climate change policies after the first Kyoto commitment period (2008-2012).

Climate change is one of the greatest environmental, economic and social threats facing the planet and is likely to be the dominant environmental issue of the 21st century.  Since the late 19th century the earth's average surface temperature has risen by 0.3-0.6°C. According to most scientific reports, this is predominantly due to human activities like burning fossil fuels and deforestation, which cause carbon dioxide (CO2) and other "greenhouse" gases (GHG) emissions.

 

In response to these developments, the United Nations adopted the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) in 1992.  The Convention forms the basis for the Kyoto Protocol on climate change adopted in December 1997 by the 3rd Conference of the Parties (COP3). 

 

· Kyoto Protocol

 

The Kyoto Protocol was adopted in December 1997 by the 3rd Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).  The Protocol commits industrialized countries to reduce, during the period  2008-2012, their collective emission of six greenhouse gases by 5.2 percent from 1990 levels.  Under the Protocol, the EU committed itself to reduce GHG emissions by 8%. 

 

The EU distributed its targets among the 15 Member States to allow varying levels of emissions.  Under this system of "burden sharing" or "target sharing" adopted by the Environment Council of 16 June 1998, wealthier Member States would take a higher percentage of reductions, permitting less economically developed Member States to implement moderate increases in emissions growth.

 

To enter into force the Protocol has to be ratified by 55 countries and the developed countries that have ratified must account for at least 55% of 1990 emissions.

 

· Emissions trading

 

The Kyoto Protocol foresees the use of four flexible mechanisms in order to reduce the costs of meeting the targets.  One of them is greenhouse gas emissions trading.  In October 2001, the Commission presented a proposal for a framework directive on greenhouse gas emissions trading within the European Community. 

 

Emissions trading is emerging as a key instrument in the drive to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The rationale behind emission trading is to ensure that the emission reductions take place where the cost of the reduction is lowest thus lowering the overall costs of combating climate change.

Emissions Trading is particularly suited to the emissions of greenhouse gases, the gases responsible for global warming, which have the same effect wherever they are emitted. This allows the Government to regulate the amount of emissions produced in aggregate by setting the overall cap for the scheme but gives companies the flexibility of determining how and where the emissions reductions will be achieved. By allowing participants the flexibility to trade allowances the overall emissions reductions are achieved in the most cost-effective way possible.

    CICS brings you industry leading experience and knowledge of CO₂ verifications under EU ETS.  With a primary client base in the UK

and North Americas, CICS operates in over 20 countries. 

 

    CICS has verified over 1.5 billion of CO₂  across hundreds of sites. 

All verification services are accredited to internationally recognized standards.

 

    CICS has developed a unique range of standardized industry sector protocols.  These protocols clearly identify the data required, cutting through the bureaucracy and minimize the time required to complete verification.

Single Site Verification Process:

 

Ø Proposal Preparation

                          Email us your permit and emissions report (if available).

                          We will email you back a proposal within a couple of days.

 

Ø Accept Proposal & Prepare Data

                          We will email you a copy of our appropriate verification protocol,

                          tailored to your site.  This will clearly identify what information will be

                          needed to prepare before the site visit.  You will then be allocated a verifier.

 

Ø Site Visit

                          Our verifier will review your data, emissions report and implementation

                          of your M & R plan.  A written report will identify any audit trial records

                          that will need to be submitted to CICS to support the draft verification.

 

Ø Independent Review

                          Once all data has been received, the entire package will be submitted to

                          an Independent Verifier for review.

 

Ø Verification Issued

                          Following a satisfactory review your verification opinion will be issued.

Multi-Site Verification Process:

 

Ø Proposal Preparation

                          Email us your tender document or permits (with M & R Plan)

                          and emissions report.  After receipt and review we will arrange a meeting

                          to fully understand your requirements.  A comprehensive proposal will be

                          emailed to you within a few days.

 

Ø Strategic Review

                          Once the proposal has been accepted your Lead Verifier will meet with you

                          to conduct a review of your sites and systems.  A tailored verification plan will be

                          produced clearly identifying sites to be visited and the necessary

                          data required.

 

Ø Site Visit

                          Sites and central offices will be visited in line with the verification plan.  A written

                           report will be produced for each site visited.  These reports will identify any audit trail

                          records that will need to be submitted to CICS to support the draft verification opinion.

 

Ø Close Out

                          Once all the site visits have been completed, your Lead Verifier will pull

                          together all the reports and ensure all outstanding issues and request for further

                          information has been resolved.

 

Ø Independent Review

                          Once all data has been received, the entire package will be submitted to an

                          Independent Verifier for review.

 

Ø Verification Issued

                          Following a satisfactory review your verification opinion will be issued.

For more information concerning CO₂ Verification or the European Trading Scheme, call or email and one of our business development coordinators will be happy to assist you.

Email

 

United States: infousa@cics-americas.com

 

Mexico: infomex@cics-americas.com

 

United Kingdom: info@cicsltd.com

Phone 

 

United States: 281-444-3942

 

Mexico: 52 442 212 4905

 

United Kingdom: 44 0 1782 411008

The EU Policies on Climate Change

Climate Change Background

The EU Emissions Trading Scheme (EU-ETS) Explained

Since January 1, 2005 some 12,000 large industrial plants in the EU have been able to buy and sell permits to release carbon dioxide into the atmosphere.  The Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS) enables companies exceeding individual CO2 emissions targets to buy allowances from 'greener' ones.  Investments in cleaner technologies can then be turned into profits while helping the EU meet its Kyoto commitments on climate change.  This unique system has earned the EU the reputation of global leader in fighting climate change.

 

Link to the European Union for the European Trading Scheme ( EU ETS )

http://europa.eu.int/eur-lex/pri/en/oj/dat/2003/l_275/l_27520031025en00320046.pdf

http://europa.eu.int/comm/environment/climat/emission/implementation_en.htm

® CICS-Americas  2007