UK Emissions Trading Scheme – Scope Expansion to Domestic Maritime - Island Communities Impact Assessment (ICIA)
This ICIA examines the domestic maritime sector’s inclusion in the UK ETS and its potential impact on Scotland’s island and peninsula communities. It reviews evidence, consultation responses, and mitigation measures, to avoid disproportionate social and economic effects.
1. Introduction
This Island Communities Impact Assessment (ICIA) covers policies designed to incorporate the domestic maritime sector within the UK Emissions Trading Scheme (UK ETS). These are outlined in the interim and main Authority responses to the "UK Emissions Trading Scheme Scope Expansion: Maritime" consultation (2024).[1] This ICIA will explore whether the potential impact of these policies on island communities differs compared to other communities. The domestic maritime sector will be integrated into the UK ETS through upcoming secondary legislation.
For the purposes of this ICIA, in line with the Islands (Scotland) Act (2018), an island community is a community that consists of two or more individuals, all of whom permanently inhabit an island (whether or not the same island), and is based on common interest, identity or geography—including in relation to any uninhabited islands whose natural environment and terrestrial, marine and associated ecosystems contribute to the natural or cultural heritage or economy of an inhabited island.
The Scottish Government will update this ICIA with any further information and analysis as required.
Contact
Email: emissions.trading@gov.scot