On January 1, 2021, the UK launched its very own
emissions trading scheme (the "
UK
ETS") exercising its autonomy since departing the EU.
Under this scheme, companies operating in certain sectors can trade
emission allowances (also known as carbon credits). On May 19,
2021, Intercontinental Exchange, Inc.
("
ICE") hosted the scheme's first
emission allowance auctions on behalf of the UK government.
The benefits of the scheme are twofold. Not only does it provide
continuity from the UK's participation in the EU's
equivalent emission trading scheme (the "
EU
ETS"), but it also focuses efforts to reach the
UK's
goal of reducing all greenhouse gas emissions to net-zero by