Päästökaupankäynti

Päästökaupankäynti, known in English as emissions trading or cap and trade, is a market-based approach to controlling pollution. It sets a limit or "cap" on the total amount of a specific pollutant that can be emitted by a group of sources. Within this cap, emission allowances are issued, and companies are then allowed to buy and sell these allowances. This creates a market where the price of emissions is determined by supply and demand.

The primary goal of emissions trading is to reduce emissions in a cost-effective manner. Companies that can reduce their emissions cheaply will do so and sell their excess allowances, while companies for whom reducing emissions is more expensive will buy allowances. This ensures that the overall emissions reduction target is met at the lowest possible cost to the economy. The European Union Emissions Trading System (EU ETS) is one of the largest and most well-known examples of this system, covering greenhouse gas emissions from major industrial installations, aviation, and other sectors. Other countries and regions have also implemented similar systems.

The effectiveness of emissions trading depends on several factors, including the stringency of the cap, the allocation of allowances, and the monitoring, reporting, and verification of emissions. A well-designed system can incentivize innovation in cleaner technologies and provide a predictable framework for businesses to operate within while pursuing environmental goals.