UK Emissions Trading Scheme (UK ETS) Charging Scheme Consultation - Maritime Operators

Overview

We are asking for your views on our proposed amendments to our UK Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS) Charging Scheme-the Greenhouse Gas Emissions Trading (Scotland) Charging Scheme 2025 (the ETS Charging Scheme).  These proposed amendments will be particularly relevant to operators within the maritime sector, which are expected to be included in the UK ETS from 1 July 2026.

Why we are consulting 

SEPA is the regulator for the UK Emissions Trading Scheme (UK ETS) in Scotland. In support of this, we charge fees for operators who are included in the Scheme.Fees vary depending on the type of activity, as set out in the Greenhouse Gas Emissions Trading Scheme Order 2020 (the UK ETS Order).

From 1 July 2026, our responsibility under the UK ETS will expand to include maritime operators whose registered office or place of residence is in Scotland.

The legal changes to include maritime in the UK ETS Order have not yet been published. However, the working definition of a “maritime operator” can be found in the UK Emissions Trading Scheme Scope Expansion: Maritime – Interim Response, published in July 2025.

This consultation proposes the following amendments to our ETS Charging Scheme:

1. Additional section detailing applicable charges for maritime operators;
2. extend paragraph 12 (the hourly rate) to cover maritime operators where appropriate.
3. amendments to paragraphs 2 (Interpretation), 14 (Liability to pay charges) and 15 (Time to make payment of charges) for additional clarity

Please note that, in accordance with the Scottish Public Finance Manual and HM Treasury’s Managing Public Money, we aim to fully recover costs for services provided.

We aim to be transparent about what we charge for, and what we do not, with approval from Scottish Ministers. This consultation gives you the opportunity to share your views on the proposed changes to our charges.

Why your views matter

As Scotland’s principal environmental regulator, our purpose is to protect, improve Scotland’s environment in ways that as far as possible also create health and well-being benefits, and sustainable economic growth.

Our Corporate Plan sets our strategic direction and our Annual Operating Plan implements our priorities. In delivering these priorities we engage with those who have an interest in and are impacted by our regulations and duties. One way we engage is through consultations.

The feedback we receive through our consultations helps us understand what matters most to our communities and businesses, and shapes how we fulfil our duties. After the consultation closes, we’ll take time to consider responses before sharing an update with you through the “we asked, you said, we did” section of our consultation website.

How to respond 

You can respond to this consultation online. Please submit your responses by 24 February 2025.

When responding, please let us know if you are happy for your response to be made public. If you prefer your response to remain confidential, it will be handled in linewith our published Privacy Policy.

We would also like to invite stakeholders to join a webinar to discuss the consultation and take part in a live Q&A session. The webinar will take place on Wednesday 21 January at 11:00. To register, please email emission.trading@sepa.org.uk.