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Written question asked by Lord Berkeley (Labour) on Tuesday, 3 March 2026, in the House of Lords. It was due for an answer on Tuesday, 17 March 2026. It was answered by Lord Whitehead (Labour) on Tuesday, 17 March 2026 on behalf of the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero.


UK Emissions Trading Scheme: Ports

Question

To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the comparative availability of emissions-reducing technologies in (1) Scottish island ports, and (2) English island ports, including shore power, alternative fuels and port-side grid capacity; and how that assessment informed decisions to exempt only Scottish routes from the UK Emissions Trading Scheme.

Answer

The Government is exempting ferries serving Scotland’s island and peninsulas due to unique challenges they face in accessing essential goods, healthcare, education and employment. This is in addition to the legal duties to consider island populations under the Islands (Scotland) Act 2018.

The Government will continue to work with industry to support the development of infrastructure and technologies needed to facilitate decarbonisation across the UK.

In September 2025, the Government announced £448m R&D funding for the UK Shipping Office for Reducing Emissions (UK SHORE) between 2026 and 2030. This represents the biggest government investment ever in our commercial maritime industry.


Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
HL15075
Session
2024-26
Subjects
Ports UK emissions trading scheme
Link
View this Written question on www.parliament.uk