GHG quota (AUT)
What is the GHG quota and how does it work?
Find out how companies benefit from the greenhouse gas reduction quota and reduce emissions.
The greenhouse gas reduction quota (GHG quota) is a key climate protection instrument in Austria. It obliges companies that put fossil petrol or diesel fuels on the market to reduce or offset their CO₂ emissions. This is achieved through the use of renewable energies - such as biofuels, renewable electricity or synthetic fuels.
The legal basis for this is the Fuel Regulation (KVO), with which Austria implements the EU "RED II" directive at national level.
The Austrian Fuel Regulation has regulated the use of renewable energies in transportation since 2012. Initially, the focus was on substituting fossil fuels with biofuels. With the amendment of the KVO (2022/2023), the focus increasingly shifted to actual CO₂ savings over the life cycle.
Since 2023, in addition to substitution targets, there has also been a mandatory greenhouse gas reduction of initially 6%, which is to increase to 13% by 2030. At the same time, new forms of offsetting such as electricity for electric vehicles or advanced biofuels have been introduced.
Companies that use more than 10,000 liters of fossil fuel per year must fulfill their GHG obligation. The CO₂ savings can be achieved by:
Blending sustainable biofuels
Use of renewable electricity for e-mobility
Use of electricity-based (synthetic) fuels
Trading surplus savings from other market participants
Compliance and crediting is carried out digitally via the ELNA system of the Austrian Federal Environment Agency.
Primary market
This is where the GHG savings actually occur - e.g. through:
Operators of public & private charging pointsOwners of electric vehicles
Companies with their own charging infrastructure
Manufacturers or importers of biofuels
They report their savings in the ELNA system and receive certificates.
Secondary market
Obligated companies (e.g.mineral oil companies) can purchasethese saved CO₂ quantities in order to fulfill their own obligation. The secondary market is therefore a central component of the flexible quota strategy.
|
Year |
GHG reduction obligation (%) |
Biofuel share of diesel |
Advanced biofuels |
|
2023 |
6,0 % |
6,3 % |
0,2 % |
|
2024 |
7,0 % |
6,3 % |
0,2 % |
|
2025 |
7,5 % |
6,3 % |
1,0 % |
|
2026 |
8,0% |
6,3 % (expected to remain constant) |
1,0 % |
|
2027 |
9,0% |
open/ wird festgelegt |
expected 2,0 % |
|
2028 |
10,0% |
open |
expected 2,5 % |
|
2029 |
11,0% |
open |
expected 3,0 % |
|
2030 |
13,0 % |
open |
3,5 % |
Applications for quota transfer (third-party contracts): by September 30, 2026
Publication of the certificates by the UBA: approx. June/July 2026
Trading window for quota utilization: September 1 - 30, 2026
Determination of possible compensation payments: from October 2026
The Austrian GHG quota is an effective and flexible instrument for reducing emissions in the transport sector. Companies are given clear targets - but also economically attractive opportunities to meet them or generate additional revenue through savings.
Quota trading combines climate protection with a market economy and creates targeted incentives for electromobility, sustainable fuels and technological innovation.
Obliged: Mineral oil companies, fuel importers
Price development: Annual increase until 2030
Trading: Directly via the biofuel quota office, brokers or trading platforms such as q-bility
Penalties: €0.60/kg CO₂ for non-compliance
FAQ
Companies can trade unused savings or sell surplus quotas.
A penalty of €0.60 per kg of CO₂ will be charged.
Advanced biofuels in accordance with Annex XIII Part A of the KVO can be counted four times towards meeting the target - i.e. the amount of energy used is multiplied by a factor of 4 if certain conditions are met.
Biofuels, synthetic fuels, electricity from renewable sources.
Companies that sell more than 10,000 liters of fossil fuels per year are obliged to do so.
They can be carried over to the next year or sold.
In Austria, the GHG quota is regulated by the Fuel Ordinance (KVO).
There is currently no fixed term or end date for the validity of the GHG quota in Austria. It is regularly adapted to new EU requirements, technological developments and national climate targets.