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Greenhouse gases

The main cause of global climate change is considered to be an increase in emission of greenhouse gases from human activities. If emission of greenhouse gases is not reduced, this will have a number of negative consequences for the environment, human health and the economy.

The goal of the Environmental Board in the field of climate is to reduce the emissions of greenhouse gases, generated by people, in industry and transport. The EU greenhouse gas emission trading systems - ETS1 and ETS2 - helps to achieve the emission reduction target.

The purpose of the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (SPIM/CBAM) is to reduce the risk of carbon leakage to third countries, known as carbon leakage. SPIM aims to reduce the carbon footprint of certain goods both within the EU and in third countries.

The competent authority for the implementation of the trading systems is the Environmental Board in Estonia.

In order to mitigate climate change, the Environmental Board provides the following services:

  • Issues trading system permits
  • Receives and approves monitoring plans and improvement reports of monitoring methodology
  • Receives and approves annual emission reports
  • Processes baseline data reports and monitoring methodology plans
  • ​​​​​Allocates free emission allowances in the greenhouse gas emission trading registry and provides the user support of the trading registry

  • Receives and processes annual activity level reports
  • Manages the SPIM register
  • Manages the FOKA register
  • Issues permits for handling a product, device and system containing fluorinated greenhouse gases
  • Checks and approves volume reports of greenhouse gases
  • Conducts additional checks of the implementation of the FuelEU Regulation
kolm tossavat korstent taamal

The EU greenhouse gas emission trading system (EU ETS)

Kauplemissüsteem hakkas toimima 2005. aastal ning on ELi kliimapoliitika nurgakiviks. ELi HKSis on kehtestatud heitkoguse ülemmäär, mida iga-aastaselt vähendatakse ning mille tulemusena heitkogus väheneb.

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HKS2_2

New European Union Emissions Trading System (EU ETS2)

The ETS2 will become fully operational in 2027 and will cover and address the CO2 emissions from fuel combustion in buildings, road transport and other sectors. Regulated entities under the ETS2 must monitor the greenhouse gas emissions of fuels, report them and surrender the equivalent number of allowances.

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SPIM kaubad

Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM / SPIM)

CBAM specifically targets high-emission goods — including steel, iron, aluminum, fertilizers, cement, hydrogen, and electricity — and applies significant new compliance requirements for companies operating in or importing into the EU.

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Tartu linnaliiklus. Foto: Kristina Kurm

Biofuels and fluorinated greenhouse gases

Keskkonnaamet haldab FOKA registrit, kus registreeritakse OKA-sid ning F-gaase sisaldavad seadmed ja seadmete hooldustoimingud.

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kaubalaev merel

The maritime sector in the EU ETS

The maritime transport sector has been included in the EU Emissions Trading System (EU ETS) since 1 January 2024.

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reisilaev sadama poole teel

FuelEU – reduce greenhouse gas emissions from the maritime transport sector

The FuelEU Regulation has been in force since 1 January 2025 and aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from the maritime transport sector in the European Union.

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Last updated: 18.02.2026

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