Carbon Markets Compliance Timelines
Welcome to the Grey Epoch’s Carbon Markets Glossary. We provide clear, expert definitions of key emissions trading and environmental market terms to help you navigate this complex landscape with confidence.
CORSIA - Annual Monitoring & Reporting Tasks
1 January
Start monitoring your international flight emissions for the current scheme year
Follow your approved Monitoring Plan
30 April
Submit verified annual emissions report for the previous year (via METS or state’s reporting system)
Report must be verified by an accredited verifier before submission
30 June
Submit improvement report (if applicable)
Required if the verification process identified areas for improvement
July
Begin the process of appointing your verifier for the current scheme year
Ensures timely verification the following year
31 December
Notify regulator of any non-significant changes to your monitoring plan
Applies to updates that don’t fundamentally change monitoring methods
31 December
Complete your emissions monitoring for the current year
End of the scheme year
CORSIA - Offsetting & Compliance Tasks
30 November
Regulator notifies you of your offsetting obligation for the previous scheme year
Based on verified emissions above baseline
30 November (every 3 years, starting 2024)
Regulator notifies you of your final offsetting obligation for the previous 3-year compliance period
Aggregated for 3-year phases (e.g., 2024–2026 → notification by 30 Nov 2027)
31 January (every 3 years, starting 2025)
Surrender eligible emissions units (credits) to offset the required emissions
Deadline for credit cancellation in line with regulator’s notification
7 February (every 3 years, starting 2025)
Request that the eligible emissions units registry publishes your cancellation information
Ensures transparency per CORSIA requirements
30 April (every 3 years, starting 2025)
Submit your verified emissions unit cancellation report for the previous compliance period
CBAM - Phase 2: Definitive Period (from 1 January 2026)
1 January 2026
Start of full CBAM implementation
Importers must become authorised CBAM declarants before importing covered goods
Throughout the Year
Purchase CBAM certificates from the EU registry
Certificates priced according to weekly average of EU ETS allowances
1 January 2027
UK CBAM becomes active
Imports of specified goods into the UK will incur liability from this date.
By 31 May each year (starting 2027)
Submit annual CBAM declaration for previous calendar year for EU, from 31 May 2028 for the UK
Declaration covers total imports, embedded emissions, and corresponding certificates
By 31 May 2027
Submit first CBAM declaration (covering 2026 imports)
Verified by an accredited verifier
By 31 May each year thereafter
Same deadline for subsequent years
(e.g., 2027 data → declaration by 31 May 2028)
Certificate Surrender (with declaration)
Surrender enough CBAM certificates to cover declared emissions
Any surplus can be carried over; shortfalls penalised
By 30 June each year
Submit verification report (if required) or corrections
Verification follows ETS-style accredited verifiers
30 June 2026 onwards
Submit updated monitoring methodology (if changed)
Ensures emissions reporting remains consistent with ETS methodology
ETS
1 January: Start of the monitoring year.
31 March: Submit verified emissions report for the previous year.
30 September: Surrender the required allowances for the previous year.
If you have questions or would like to learn how Grey Epoch can help your business navigate the carbon markets, then reach out.
+44 20 7038 7691
info@greyepoch.com
Mortimer House, 37 - 41 Mortimer Street, London, W1T 3JH
Grey Epoch Europe Limited (FRN: 959638) is an appointed representative of Thornbridge Investment Management LLP (FRN: 713859) which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority.
© Grey Epoch. All Rights Reserved 2025
