Part of the debate – in the Senedd at 5:33 pm on 1 February 2022.
Diolch, Llywydd. I move the motion. I am pleased to be able to bring forward the Greenhouse Gas Emissions Trading Scheme (Amendment) Order 2022, which makes minor technical amendments to the Greenhouse Gas Emissions Trading Scheme Order 2020. The effects of these amendments are twofold: firstly, the regulatory and enforcement powers available to national regulators when inspecting premises will be strengthened; secondly, the way the emissions allowances in the scheme are surrendered will be improved.
The Order confers the power to inspect premises to ensure compliance on an authorised person in addition to the regulator, creates an offence of intentionally obstructing persons in the exercise of the enforcement powers, enables a civil penalty to be applied to persons who fail to comply with a notice to return allowances, and includes a requirement to surrender any deficit of allowances from the previous scheme years at the point where an installation's permit has been surrendered or revoked.
Advice was sought from the Committee on Climate Change in drafting the Order. Through the improved regulation of the UK emissions trading scheme, we will be able to better achieve the environmental outcomes envisaged by the scheme. I wish to offer my thanks to the Legislation, Justice and Constitution Committee for the scrutiny of the Order, and I commend the motion to the Chamber. Diolch.