Firms' Banking and Pooling in the EU ETS (2005-2007)

This article investigates firms’ banking and pooling behaviors in the context of the EU Emissions Trading Scheme (EU ETS) during Phase I (2005-2007). It provides an overview of the questions raised at the firm-level by the introduction and implementation of the EU trading system in terms of allowances management. More specifically, the article details the banking behavior at the installation level, and the pooling of risks at the group level attached to allowance trading between the parent company and its subsidiaries. Based on case-studies of the most significant patterns in terms of allowances management among firms, the empirical analyses underline the efficiency of the banking instrument as a risk-management tool.