The European Energy Exchange AG (EEX) was mandated by the German Federal Environment Agency to conduct the auctioning and sale of emission certificates (nEZ) within the German national emissions trading system (nEHS) from 2026 onwards.
Thus, EEX will continue with the mandate it received in 2021, while ensuring a transparent, efficient and secure process for the auctioning and sale of national emission certificate also from 2026 onwards.
Peter Reitz, CEO of EEX, says: "We are pleased to continue as the platform for national emissions trading and to now also conduct auctions in addition to the already proven sales process for emission certificates. With the inclusion of the transport and buildings sectors into the national emissions trading scheme, which will also be part of the EU ETS2 emissions trading scheme, Germany is a pioneer in climate protection. We are committed to supporting the obligated companies in the transition from the current fixed-price phase to the fully market-based system as part of the new EU ETS2."
The start of the auctions is currently planned for July 2026. Should an earlier start be feasible, this will be communicated in due time.
Between July and October 2026, weekly auctions of emission certificates under the nEHS are planned to take place on EEX, within a price corridor of between EUR 55/nEHS certificate and EUR 65/nEHS certificate. In November and December 2026, nEHS certificates will be sold in unlimited quantities in accordance with the provisions of the current version of the Fuel Emissions Trading Ordinance (BEHV: EUR 68/nEHS certificate).
In 2027, the sale of the additional purchase quantity of nEHS certificates from 2026 will take place in limited quantities until August 2027, in accordance with the current requirements of the BEHV (EUR 70 in accordance with Section 15 BEHV). Responsible parties will then be able to purchase up to 10% of the certificates acquired in 2026, in order to fulfil their obligations that need to be surrendered under Section 8 of the Fuel Emissions Trading Act for 2026.
From 2027, the majority of emissions currently covered by the German nEHS will be transferred to the EU ETS2, the new emissions trading system for the European road transport and buildings sectors.
Since July 2025, EEX has been offering EU ETS 2 futures contracts with expiries from December 2027.
Further information on the nEHS auctions in 2026, in particular on the admission process for participation in the auctions, will be available on the EEX website in due course.
EEX expects to publish the calendar with the provisional dates for auctions and provisional quantities to be auctioned at the end of April 2026.
The European Energy Exchange (EEX) is a leading energy exchange which builds secure, successful and sustainable commodity markets worldwide – together with its customers and partners. As part of EEX Group, it serves international power, natural gas, environmental, freight and agricultural markets, and provides data, reporting and registry services. EEX is an enabler of the energy transition and decarbonisation, advancing renewables integration through dedicated products and services, including those related to guarantees of origin. More information: www.eex.com
