Emissions trading portal
Emissions trading in Liechtenstein
The Office for the Environment is the national authority responsible for implementing the market-based climate protection instruments of the Kyoto Protocol in Liechtenstein. First and foremost, according to the Kyoto Protocol, greenhouse gas emissions are to be reduced through national measures. The Office for the Environment as well as the Energy Office at the Office of Economic Affairs estimate the reduction potential achievable in the short term with national measures at around 22,000 tons of CO2 equivalents.
About one-third of the required CO2 reductions under the Kyoto Protocol can thus be achieved through national measures.
In addition, the use of flexible mechanisms must also be resorted to in order to achieve the reduction commitments. These are, on the one hand, the emissions trading between two states (or, according to the EU Emissions Trading Directive, between two industrial plants) and, on the other hand, project-based mechanisms such as the Joint Implementation (JI) and Clean Development Mechanism (CDM)
Such projects must achieve measurable performance in terms of climate impact and contribute to the sustainable development of host countries, for example through the use of environmentally friendly technologies. Liechtenstein aims to meet the reduction commitment with high-quality certificates (Gold Standard).
In addition, the Office for the Environment provides and maintains the Liechtenstein Union Registry for the EU Emissions Trading Scheme. This is an Internet application in the style of an online banking system that can be used to conduct transactions, check account balances, and submit emission allowances to the national account to meet an emission reduction commitment.
As a modern and success-oriented authority, we provide comprehensive and competent support to project operators, traders, plant operators and other participants in emissions trading in:
- the implementation and application of the legal provisions
- the exercise of their rights
- the fulfillment of their obligations.
Contact addresses for the relevant areas can be found here
For brief information on the history of the Kyoto Protocol and Liechtenstein's current emissions, see here.