Päästöoikeuksille

Päästöoikeuksille, often translated as emission allowances or carbon credits, represent a tradable permit that allows the holder to emit a specific amount of greenhouse gases, typically one tonne of carbon dioxide equivalent. These allowances are a cornerstone of emissions trading systems, designed to reduce pollution by putting a price on carbon emissions.

The primary goal of issuing päästöoikeuksille is to create an economic incentive for businesses to lower their greenhouse gas emissions. Companies that can reduce their emissions more cost-effectively than the market price of an allowance can sell their surplus allowances to companies that find it more expensive to reduce emissions. This market-based mechanism allows for flexibility in achieving overall emission reduction targets.

Emission trading systems, such as the European Union Emissions Trading System (EU ETS), are the main context in which päästöoikeuksille operate. Under these systems, a cap is set on the total amount of greenhouse gases that can be emitted by covered entities. Within this cap, allowances are distributed, either through auctioning or free allocation. Companies are then required to surrender enough allowances to cover their total emissions for a given period. Failure to do so results in penalties.

The value of päästöoikeuksille fluctuates based on supply and demand, influenced by factors such as economic activity, regulatory changes, and the overall stringency of the emissions cap. This price signal is intended to drive investment in cleaner technologies and practices. The system aims to achieve environmental goals in a cost-efficient manner by allowing the market to determine the most economically viable ways to reduce emissions.