The Carbon Accounting (2013–2017 Budgetary Period) Regulations 2015

Crediting and debiting of carbon units to take into account domestic aviation emissions during the 2013–2017 budgetary period

4.—(1) It is the duty of the Secretary of State to calculate whether an amount of carbon units is to be credited to or debited from the net UK carbon account to take into account domestic aviation emissions during the 2013–2017 budgetary period.

(2) Calculations under this regulation are to be performed annually, and must be performed—

(a) in respect of 2013, by 31st March 2015; and

(b) in respect of any other year of the 2013–2017 budgetary period (“Year X”), by 15th March in Year X+2.

(3) In order to determine whether carbon units are to be credited or debited in respect of 2013, the Secretary of State must calculate whether domestic aviation emissions in 2013 are greater or less than the domestic aviation cap for 2013.

(4) In order to determine whether carbon units are to be credited or debited in respect of Year X, the Secretary of State must calculate whether domestic aviation emissions in Year X are greater or less than the domestic aviation cap for Year X.

(5) If domestic aviation emissions are greater than the domestic aviation cap, an amount of carbon units equal to the difference is to be credited to the net UK carbon account in respect of the appropriate year.

(6) If domestic aviation emissions are less than the domestic aviation cap, an amount of carbon units equal to the difference is to be debited from the net UK carbon account in respect of the appropriate year.

(7) In calculating domestic aviation emissions and the domestic aviation cap, the Secretary of State must use such data about aviation emissions as appear to the Secretary of State to be the best available data.