Päästökauppojen

Päästökauppojen, or emissions trading, is a market-based instrument used by governments to control pollution. It works by setting a cap on the total amount of greenhouse gas emissions that can be released by certain installations. Within this cap, companies receive or buy emission allowances, which represent the right to emit a specific amount of greenhouse gases. If a company emits less than its allocated allowances, it can sell the surplus to another company that needs more. Conversely, if a company emits more than its allowances, it must buy additional allowances or face penalties.

The primary goal of emissions trading is to reduce pollution cost-effectively. By creating a market for emissions, the system incentivizes companies to find the cheapest ways to reduce their emissions. Those who can reduce emissions at a low cost will do so and sell their surplus allowances, while those for whom reductions are more expensive will buy allowances. This flexibility allows for a greater overall reduction in emissions for a given level of economic activity.

The European Union Emissions Trading System (EU ETS) is one of the largest and most well-known examples of emissions trading. It covers a significant portion of the EU's greenhouse gas emissions from power stations, industrial plants, and airlines. Other countries and regions also have their own emissions trading schemes. The effectiveness of these systems is subject to ongoing debate and evaluation, with discussions often focusing on the appropriate level of the cap, the allocation of allowances, and the scope of the sectors covered.