Päästöoikeusjärjestelmä

Päästöoikeusjärjestelmä, often referred to as the Emissions Trading System (ETS), is a market-based approach used by governments to control pollution. The fundamental principle is to set a limit, or cap, on the total amount of certain pollutants, such as greenhouse gases, that can be emitted by specific industries. Within this cap, companies are issued or can purchase emission allowances, with each allowance permitting the emission of one tonne of a particular pollutant.

Companies that reduce their emissions below their allocated allowances can sell their surplus allowances to companies that exceed their limits. This creates a financial incentive for polluters to invest in cleaner technologies and processes to reduce their emissions, as they can either save money by not needing to buy allowances or generate revenue by selling excess ones. Conversely, companies that emit more than their allowances must purchase them, incurring a cost that encourages them to decrease their emissions.

The EU Emissions Trading System (EU ETS) is one of the largest and most well-established examples of such a system. It covers a significant portion of the European Union's greenhouse gas emissions and is a key pillar of the EU's climate policy. The system is designed to be cost-effective in reducing emissions, allowing the market to find the most efficient ways to achieve the overall reduction targets. The cap is gradually lowered over time to ensure that emissions continue to decline.