The UK Emissions Trading Registry operates in a similar way to an online bank account. The Registry is a secure web-based application that serves as both the UK Emissions Trading Scheme Registry (UK ETS Registry) holding allowances, and the UK Kyoto Protocol Registry holding international units. UK ETS Registry records include:
allowances held in Operator Holding Accounts (OHA), Aircraft Operator Holding Accounts (AOHA), Trading Accounts and Government Accounts
the movement of allowances between accounts and details of verified emissions and allowances surrendered by operators
matters relating to the free allocation of allowances to Operator Holding Accounts and Aircraft Operator Holding Accounts
UK Kyoto Protocol Registry records include:
holdings of international units in accounts
international unit transfers
Operator Holding Account (OHA) and Aircraft Operator Holding Account (AOHA) Installation operators must have an Operator Holding Account (OHA) in the Registry to acquire and surrender allowances in line with their UK ETS obligations. Aircraft operators must have an Aircraft Operator Holding Account (AOHA). OHAs and AOHAs can also be used to trade allowances (UKAs) in the UK ETS markets. Once your permit or emissions monitoring plan has been issued by your regulator, they will instruct the Registry Administrator to open an OHA, or AOHA for you. You will be contacted by the Registry Administrator and asked to provide details of a primary contact (who is authorised to give instructions to the Registry Administrator on your behalf), and also to nominate authorised representatives to operate your OHA, or AOHA for you. Trading accounts UK ETS trading accounts are available for the holding and trading of UK allowances as an activity unrelated to UK ETS compliance. Trading accounts cannot be used for UK ETS compliance, but operators are able to use their OHAs and AOHAs to trade. To open a trading account, you must first register to use the service, and then request a trading account. The Registry Administrator will then get in touch with you to guide you through the remainder of the process. Trading accounts require at least 2 registered authorised representatives to operate the account. Person Holding Accounts The Registry is also used to host the UK Kyoto Protocol Registry, and Person Holding Accounts are available to be requested if you need to hold or trade international units. Opening a UK Registry account The opening of a UK Registry account and the validation of individuals involves the same level of scrutiny as when opening a bank account. This will include requesting any further information to satisfy the Registry Administrator that you are a fit and proper person to hold an account or to act as an authorised representative in relation to an account. As such, this process can take up to 2 months (and longer in some cases). Read guidance on the documents needed to open a Registry account. Apply for access to the Registry.