Utsläppsåtervinning

Utsläppsåtervinning, a Swedish term, translates to emission recycling or emissions trading in English. It refers to a system designed to reduce pollution by setting a limit on the total amount of a specific pollutant that can be emitted. Companies are then issued emission allowances, or permits, that allow them to emit a certain amount of the pollutant. These allowances can be traded among companies.

The core principle is that the total number of allowances issued is less than the total amount of emissions that would occur without the system. This scarcity creates a price for emissions, incentivizing companies to reduce their pollution. Companies that can reduce their emissions cost-effectively can sell their excess allowances to companies that find it more expensive to reduce their pollution. This market-based approach aims to achieve emission reductions at the lowest overall cost to the economy.

Utsläppsåtervinning is a key component of many climate policies, particularly in the European Union with its Emissions Trading System (EU ETS). These systems typically cover sectors with significant greenhouse gas emissions, such as energy production, heavy industry, and aviation. The goal is to drive investment in cleaner technologies and practices, ultimately contributing to broader environmental objectives. The effectiveness of such systems relies on careful design, including setting appropriate emission caps, ensuring robust monitoring and verification, and preventing market manipulation.