All bars represent positive quantities of emissions or allowances. The ETS cap establishes the division of effort between the sectors covered by the EU ETS and those which are not, to achieve Kyoto targets at national level (left section). Whatever EU ETS emissions are in comparison with their cap (equal, higher or lower), operators have to surrender an equivalent quantity of allowances to their government in order to fulfil with their legal obligations.
Governments must therefore achieve compliance under the Kyoto Protocol by reducing or limiting emissions that are not covered by the EU ETS, with the possibility to use flexible mechanisms and carbon sink removals.
