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International
Berlin Mandate
The first Signatory Parties Conference took place in Berlin in 1995. The Berlin Mandate laid the foundation for the Kyoto Protocol, which came into force ten years later.
Marrakesh Accords
The Marrakesh Accords are the result of the 7th Climate Conference's negotiations, which took place in Marrakesh in 2001. They include decisions regarding the Kyoto Protocol, the project mechanisms, sinks, and technology transfer.
United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change
The political process leading to climate protection began in the late 1980s. Its first result was the Climate Convention, signed by almost all countries in Rio de Janeiro in 1992. Its proper name is United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). It contains the objective "to achieve, in accordance with the relevant provisions of the Convention, stabilization of greenhouse gas concentrations in the atmosphere at a level that would prevent dangerous anthropogenic interference with the climate system. All countries are called upon to contribute "in accordance with their common but differentiated responsibilities and respective capabilities."
Kyoto Protocol
The Kyoto Protocol was adopted in 1997 by the Third Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). It came into force in 2005 and is the world's first binding treaty under international law to curb climate change. It obliges the participating countries to reduce emissions of climate-damaging gases.
It includes two commitment periods - the first from 2008 to 2012 and the second from 2013 to 2020, during which the industrialised countries listed in Annex B of the Protocol undertook to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions. The second commitment period (2013 to 2020) of the Kyoto Protocol, which was adopted at the eighth Conference of the Parties (CMP 8) to the Kyoto Protocol in Doha in 2012, ended on 31/12/2020.
Paris Agreement
The Paris Agreement is the follow-up agreement to the Kyoto Protocol. It was adopted on 12/12/2015 at the Conference of the Parties to the Framework Convention on Climate Change and entered into force on 04/11/2016. From 2021, the agreement adopted in 2015 will also apply to global climate protection. The international community is committed to limiting global warming to well below 2 degrees Celsius, but preferably to 1.5 degrees Celsius, compared to pre-industrial levels. For the first time, not only industrialised countries, but also developing and emerging countries are obliged to make climate protection contributions. The EU has committed to reducing its greenhouse gas emissions by at least 55 per cent by 2030 compared to 1990 levels.
Information and research (available in German only)
European Emissions Trading System (EU-ETS 1)
Europe
Germany
EU Maritime Emissions (MRV)
MRV Maritime Transport Ordinance
In order to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from maritime transport in a cost-effective manner, this regulation lays down rules for the accurate monitoring, reporting and verification of greenhouse gas emissions and other relevant information from ships arriving in, staying in or departing from a port in the territory of a Member State.
National Emissions Trading (nEHS)
Fuel Emissions Trading Act (Brennstoffemissionshandelsgesetz – BEHG)
From 2021, the Fuel Emissions Trading Act (Brennstoffemissionshandelsgesetz – BEHG) will introduce national trading of certificates for emissions from fuels. It supplements the European Emissions Trading System (EU ETS 1).
Energy Tax Law
The energy tax is used to charge taxes on the use of fuels and heating materials within Germany. The consumption tax is levied uniformly and indirectly nationwide on fossil and renewable energies.
Fuel Emissions Trading Ordinance (BEHV)
The Fuel Emissions Trading Ordinance (BEHV) regulates the sale of certificates in national emissions trading and the nEHS-Registry.
Emissions Reporting Ordinance 2022 (EBeV 2022)
The emissions reporting ordinance 2022 regulates emissions reporting in national emissions trading exclusively for the period 2021 and 2022.
Emissions Reporting Ordinance 2030 (EBeV 2030)
The Emissions Reporting Ordinance 2030 regulates emissions reporting in national emissions trading for the years 2023 to 2030.
BEHG Carbon Leakage Ordinance (BECV)
The BECV is the ordinance on measures to prevent carbon leakage through national fuel emissions trading based on Section 11 (3) of the BEHG.
Approval text of the European Commission for the BECV
State Aid SA.63191 (2023/N) – Germany: Carbon leakage compensation in the context of the German fuel emission trading system
BEHG Hardship Compensation
Announcement of the directive on the granting of equity payments for financial compensation to companies to avoid undue hardship caused by the introduction of national fuel emissions trading pursuant to the Fuel Emissions Trading Act "BEHG-Härtefallkompensation" (BEHG hardship compensation).
General ruling on "BEHG hardship compensation"
Announcement of the general ruling on the "BEHG hardship compensation" directive.
Electricity Price Compensation (SPK)
Legal Basis
Europe-wide
National
Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM)
CBAM Ordinance
The EU CBAM Regulation (2023/956) came into force in May 2023. After a two-year transition phase, starting on 1 October 2023, the regular phase will follow from 01/01/2026. The CBAM will be gradually expanded from 2026 to 2034.
Project Mechanisms
UERV – Upstream Emission Reduction Ordinance
The Upstream Emission Reduction Ordinance (UERV) sets out the legal framework for companies that market liquid fuels in Germany and are subject to a greenhouse gas reduction quota, to allow them to meet a part of their quota using upstream emission reductions (UER) from 2020 onwards. The UERV entered into force on 30/01/2018.