Expansion of UK Emissions Trading Scheme into the domestic maritime sector: Final Business and Regulatory Impact Assessment 2026

Section 2: Engagement and information gathering

Below is a summary of the engagement undertaken between 2023 and 2025 to inform the expansion of the UK ETS to the domestic maritime sector.

Engagement within Government

The following government agencies and departments were consulted by the Scottish Government before, during, and after the 2024 consultation, and during preparation of this BRIA:

• Transport Scotland advised on proposals related to ferry services to island communities and wider proposals impacting vessel operators;
• The Scottish Government Land Reform, Rural and Island Policy Division advised on proposals related to ferry services to island communities;
• The Scottish Government Marine Directorate Division advised on aspects relating to Scottish fisheries;
• The Scottish Government Office of the Chief Economic Adviser provided analysis and advice on economic impacts;
• The Authority members (Welsh Government and the Department for Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs for Northern Ireland) and UK Government departments (Department for Energy and Net Zero, His Majesty’s Treasury and Department for Transport); and
• The Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA).

Public Consultation

The Authority delivered the public consultation “UK Emissions Trading Scheme Scope Expansion: Maritime” between 28 November 2024 and 23 January 2025, which included high-level summaries and topic-specific workshops.

UK-wide engagement sessions involved ETS participants, ports, ferry and shipping industries, fishing and energy sectors, alternative fuel providers, trade associations, local authorities (including those representing Scottish islands), academics, and environmental NGOs, ensuring a broad range of views were captured. Approximately 205 stakeholders attended these sessions. Scottish participants and businesses were consulted throughout.

A total of 102 stakeholders responded to the consultation, with 53 identified by Scottish Government policy teams as particularly relevant to Scotland.

Feedback from the consultation has been instrumental in shaping the final policy decisions. The Authority has produced and published both an interim and a main Authority Response to the consultation, setting out the final policy positions.