Swiss emissions trading scheme (CH ETS) for aviation
The Swiss Emissions Trading Scheme (CH ETS) is an emissions trading system managed by the Swiss Federal Office for the Environment (FOEN). The system operates on a cap-and-trade principle, where airlines must hold emission allowances to cover their CO₂ emissions.
Since 2020, the CH ETS has been linked to the EU Emissions Trading System (EU ETS). As a result, emission allowances can be recognised between both systems and reporting is organised more efficiently.
The system is based on the Federal Act on the Reduction of CO₂ Emissions (CO₂ Act) and is further regulated through the CO₂ Ordinance. Normec Verifavia supports airlines with independent verification of emissions reports in accordance with CH ETS requirements.
Our approach
Normec Verifavia provides comprehensive support for the verification of emissions reports within the Swiss ETS.
Our services help organisations to:
• Comply with CH ETS regulations
• Report transparently and reliably
• Reduce compliance risks
• Avoid penalties and legal consequences
With more than 10 years of experience in verification and auditing within the aviation sector, we have the expertise to assess emissions data accurately.
Scope of the Swiss ETS for aviation
When an airline falls under the EU ETS, it automatically falls under the CH ETS when operating certain flights.
Within the CH ETS, the following flights are included, among others:
• Domestic flights within Switzerland
• Flights from Switzerland to EEA countries, including outermost regions
• Flights from Switzerland to the United Kingdom
When an operator does not fall under the EU ETS, the following thresholds apply:
• More than 243 flights per period (three consecutive four-month periods), or
• More than 10,000 tonnes of CO₂ per year for commercial operators
• More than 1,000 tonnes of CO₂ per year for non-commercial operators
Operators classified as small emitters may estimate emissions using the Small Emitters Tool (SET).
What does this mean in practice for your organisation?
• You must monitor emissions according to an approved monitoring plan
• You must submit a verified annual emissions report
• You must surrender sufficient emission allowances to cover your emissions
• You must submit improvement reports when deviations are identified
• You must report according to the requirements of the competent authority
One-stop shop: linking EU ETS and CH ETS
Due to the link between the EU ETS and CH ETS, a one-stop shop principle applies.
This means that airlines subject to both systems:
• Are administered by one competent state
• Submit one monitoring plan
• Submit one annual emissions report
• Use one registry account for emission allowances
• Surrender allowances through one process
This approach reduces administrative burden and simplifies compliance for operators.
Expertise in emissions verification
Normec Verifavia is a globally recognised organisation for emissions verification in the aviation sector.
Our specialists have extensive experience with:
• EU ETS verification
• UK ETS verification
• Swiss ETS verification
• Monitoring methodologies and emissions reporting
All verifications are performed in accordance with international standards, including:
• ISO 17029:2019
• ISO 14065:2020
This allows us to guarantee reliable and independent verification of emissions reports.
International emissions trading in aviation
Emissions trading systems such as EU ETS, UK ETS, and CH ETS play an increasingly important role in reducing emissions in the aviation sector. By having your emissions reports verified on time and ensuring your monitoring processes are in order, you can:
• Report transparently on emissions
• Reduce the risk of penalties
• Contribute to international climate objectives
Normec Verifavia supports you at every step of the process, from monitoring plan to verification report.
Would you like to learn more about Swiss emissions trading scheme (CH ETS)?
Frequently asked questions
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The CH ETS is the Swiss emissions trading system for CO₂ emissions. The system works on the cap-and-trade principle where airlines need emission allowances to cover their emissions.
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Since 2020, the Swiss ETS and the EU ETS have been linked, allowing allowances to be recognized between the two systems and operators to report through a single window system.
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Flights covered by the CH ETS include:
- Domestic flights within Switzerland
- Flights from Switzerland to EEA countries
- Flights from Switzerland to the United Kingdom -
Airlines must submit their verified annual emissions report to the competent authority by March 31 of the following year.
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Operators must surrender enough allowances to cover their emissions by September 30 of the year following the reporting period.
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If discrepancies or areas for improvement are found during verification, the operator must submit an improvement report by June 30 of the following year.
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Normec Verifavia supports airlines with:
- Verification of emissions reports
- Assessment of monitoring plans
- Support with ETS reporting and compliance
- Preparation for audits and inspections -
To reduce the administrative burden and because of the link between the Swiss ETS and the EU ETS, compliance is achieved through a one-stop-shop approach. This means that all compliance processes such as monitoring, reporting and surrendering allowances are handled by one competent authority.
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For operators based in Switzerland, the competent authority is the Federal Office of Civil Aviation (FOCA). For other operators, the competent authority remains the same as under the EU ETS.
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Because the Swiss ETS is administered through the one-stop-shop approach, the deadlines are the same as under the EU ETS. In most cases, the annual emissions report must be submitted by March 31.
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Airlines need only one aircraft operator holding account for their obligations under both regimes.
- Airlines operated by an EEA member state use the EU registry.
- Airlines administered by Switzerland use the Swiss registry. -
Yes. Due to the link between the two systems, both EU ETS and Swiss ETS allowances can be used to fulfil obligations under both programs. This also applies to free allowances allocated under both systems.
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No. Since January 1, 2020, the Swiss ETS has been linked to the EU ETS. This allows emission rights to be exchanged and reporting to be organized through a common system.
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Yes. The Swiss authorities have allocated free allowances based on 2018 ton-kilometer data. Operators can still apply for free allowances by providing verified 2018 ton-kilometer data to FOEN.
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The European Commission has developed an updated EU ETS Annual Emissions Report template that allows EU ETS and Swiss ETS reporting in one document. The template is based on the existing AER format, but includes additional sections for Swiss ETS reporting.
More information and the latest templates are available through the FOEN website.