Summary
Details
- Germany
The BEHG is a binding national law requiring fuel suppliers to purchase emissions certificates for fossil fuels placed on the German market.
Criteria:
Applies to upstream fuel suppliers including gas, oil, diesel, petrol, LPG, LNG and coal distributors.
Applies to entities required to report fuel quantities and surrender certificates.
Applies to regulated sectors in heating, buildings and transport.
Exemptions and Flexibility:
Small fuel quantities may be exempt or below reporting thresholds.
Fuels used for non-energy purposes (e.g., chemical feedstocks) may be exempt.
Transitional rules apply to aviation and maritime fuels.
Energy-intensive industries may receive partial cost relief.
Future integration into EU ETS2 may modify obligations.
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What’s Required
Fuel suppliers must:
Register in the emissions-trading system
Submit accurate annual fuel-quantity reports
Purchase and surrender certificates
Maintain MRV systems for data accuracy
Important Deadlines
Annual reporting of fuel quantities
Fixed price steps apply each year until the full trading phase
2027: Expected transition to EU ETS2 integration
Current Status
The BEHG is active, with annual price increases creating steady incentives for emissions reduction.
Penalties for Non-Compliance
Fines for failing to purchase or surrender certificates
Penalties for incorrect reporting
Late-submission fees and administrative sanctions
Examples of Known Violations
Cases of under-reporting fuel quantities
Missed deadlines in the early years of the system
No major public sanctions have dominated media reporting.
Conclusions
The BEHG is a central tool in Germany’s climate policy, putting a clear price on carbon in heating and transport. Aligning incentives with decarbonisation goals, it drives investment in renewable heat, electric mobility, and energy efficiency.
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