Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what steps he plans to take to prevent the UK ETS from operating as a pay-to-pollute scheme for maritime operators unable to access decarbonisation infrastructure.

The Emissions Trading Scheme is a cap-and-trade system with a declining cap that ensures emissions from the traded sector, including the domestic maritime sector, fall in line with the United Kingdom’s statutory net zero commitments.

The scheme limits total emissions and enables reductions to occur where they are most cost effective, without prescribing specific technologies in any sector.

For maritime operators, the scheme provides a clear price signal that supports investment in cleaner vessels, operational efficiency and emerging low carbon fuels.

The Government will continue to work with industry to support the development of infrastructure and technologies needed to facilitate decarbonisation.