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The European Securities and Markets Authority (ESMA), the EU’s securities markets regulator,
has today published its Final Report on the European Union Carbon Market (EU carbon
market).
Key Findings
The Final Report presents an in-depth analysis of the trading of emission allowances (EUA)
and emission allowance derivatives based on data gathered from different sources, including
EMIR reporting, MiFIR transaction reporting, MiFID II daily and weekly position reports, auction
data and data obtained from the EU Registry. ESMA, in looking at trading in carbon markets
and counterparties in this market, has identified the following:
• long positions in carbon derivatives are mainly held by non-financial entities for hedging
purposes;
• short positions are mainly held by banks and investment firms providing liquidity and
carbon financing;
• positions by investment funds remain limited, with positions principally held by third-
country funds; and
• the share of high-frequency and algorithmic trading is significant in the carbon market,
even if the relevant firms are only holding very small or no actual positions.
As far as recent developments are concerned, ESMA is aware that the war in the Ukraine has
had a major impact on the carbon market, with EUA prices declining by 30% between 23
February and 4 March, which was the cut-off date for ESMA’s analysis. ESMA notes that the
carbon price by 22 March had recovered but appreciates that the situation remains volatile.
Policy recommendations
ESMA, based on its findings and observations, has formulated a number of policies recommendations on the transparency and monitoring of the EU carbon market from the securities regulators’ perspective, for instance:
The measures proposed would provide more information to market participants, regulators and
the public and are intended to contribute to the continued smooth functioning of the market,
which plays an important role for the EU’s transition to a low-carbon economy.
Issues for consideration by the European Commission
ESMA has also identified two possible courses of actions, with arguments in favour and
against, that the European Commission (EC) could consider regarding:
• the introduction of position limits on carbon derivatives – cited in public discussions as
a potential addition to the legislative framework; and
• centralised market monitoring of the carbon market at EU level, in line with the ACER-
style monitoring for gas and power.
Next steps
ESMA’s Report provides a factual and comprehensive basis for the EC, the Council of the EU
and the European Parliament to determine whether additional measures to regulate the carbon
market are considered necessary. ESMA is ready to assist with the implementation measures
and with additional data analysis or advice that could be useful in future deliberations on the
EU carbon market.