Päästösertifikaatteja

Päästösertifikaatteja, known in English as emission certificates or allowances, are permits that allow entities to emit a certain amount of greenhouse gases. They are a key component of market-based environmental policies designed to reduce pollution. The concept is often implemented through a cap-and-trade system. In such a system, a regulatory body sets a limit, or cap, on the total amount of emissions allowed within a specific period. This cap is then divided into a number of emission certificates, which are distributed to companies or installations covered by the scheme.

Companies that emit less than their allocated certificates can sell their surplus to companies that exceed their allowances. This creates a financial incentive for companies to reduce their emissions, as they can either save money by emitting less or earn revenue by selling excess certificates. Conversely, companies that emit more than their allowance must purchase additional certificates, making pollution more expensive for them. The overall cap gradually decreases over time, driving down total emissions and encouraging investment in cleaner technologies.

The European Union Emissions Trading System (EU ETS) is one of the largest and most well-known examples of a cap-and-trade system using emission certificates. Other countries and regions also have similar schemes in place. The effectiveness of these systems depends on factors such as the stringency of the cap, the allocation of certificates, and the price of the certificates themselves.