Energy Ets Von Der Leyen | Frontaliere Ticino
Energy Ets Von Der Leyen — free tools and expert guides for cross-border workers (frontalieri) between Switzerland and Italy. Compare salaries, tax, LAMal health insurance, pensions, and cost of living in Ticino. Updated 2026.
Context
The President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, has recently expressed her openness towards a possible revision of the Ets system in Europe. This statement has been welcomed with interest by Marcello Di Caterina, General Director of Alis, who commented: 'We welcome with interest the statements of the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, which represent a first signal of openness towards a possible revision of the Ets system in Europe.' However, while the EU opens up to the revision of this mechanism, the maritime transport sector is facing a phase of strong global instability. The Ets (Emissions Trading System) is a market mechanism that aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from industries and energy plants. Currently, the Ets system covers around 11,000 industrial plants and 1,000 air operators in Europe. However, according to Marcello Di Caterina, 'the maritime sector, which represents a significant share of global emissions, is not yet covered by the Ets system'. For example, in 2020, CO2 emissions from the maritime sector reached 2.9 billion tons, equivalent to around 2.5% of global emissions. In particular, the maritime routes connecting the port of Singapore to that of Rotterdam generated emissions of over 100 million tons. The main concern for the maritime sector is the potential inclusion in the Ets system, which could entail additional costs for shipping companies. According to an estimate by the European Commission, the inclusion of the maritime sector in the Ets system could entail additional costs of around 1.5 billion euros per year. A concrete example: the Ticino municipality of Lugano, which hosts one of the main lake ports in Switzerland, could be affected by the new regulations. Goods transiting through the port...
Operational details
The Ets (Emissions Trading System) is a market mechanism that aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from industrial activities and energy. The revision of this system could have a significant impact on the maritime sector, which is one of the main responsible for greenhouse gas emissions. The suspension of the application of the Ets system to the maritime sector could be a temporary solution to alleviate pressures on maritime transporters. According to data from the European Environment Agency, the maritime sector is responsible for 13% of greenhouse gas emissions in the European Union. In particular, container ships and cargo ships are among the largest sources of emissions. For example, a large container ship can emit up to 50 million tons of CO2 per year. The revision of the Ets system has been opened by the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, who has announced the intention to revise the mechanism to make it more effective and ambitious. However, while the EU opens up to the revision of this mechanism, the maritime transport sector is facing a phase of strong global instability, as stated by Marcello Di Caterina, President of Alis. In this context, the suspension of the application of the Ets system to the maritime sector could be a temporary solution to alleviate pressures on maritime transporters. However, this could have a negative impact on the effectiveness of the Ets system in reducing greenhouse gas emissions. ## Useful tools to protect your net income To reduce FX leakage, compare CHF-EUR exchange options and banks for cross-border workers.
Key points
For Ticino frontier workers who work in the maritime sector, the recent statement by the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, on the Ets (Emissions Trading System) could have a significant impact on their work and daily life. It is essential to stay informed about developments in the Ets system and possible implications for the maritime sector. The Ets system is a market mechanism that aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from industrial activities and energy. Companies that exceed established emission thresholds must purchase emission allowances to cover their excess emissions. The price of allowances varies based on supply and demand. The statement by von der Leyen opens the way to a possible suspension of the Ets for the maritime sector. This could represent relief for shipping companies and sector workers, who could avoid incurring additional costs related to purchasing emission allowances. For example, according to data from the European Environment Agency, CO2 emissions from the maritime sector in the EU were around 124 million tons in 2020. If the emission allowance price were 50 euros/ton, shipping companies would have had to pay around 6.2 billion euros. Ticino frontier workers who work in the maritime sector could be affected by this news. Many of them reside in Ticino municipalities such as Chiasso, Mendrisio or Lugano and work in ports such as Antwerp, Rotterdam or Hamburg. According to data from the Federal Statistical Office, in 2020 there were around 1,300 Ticino frontier workers employed in the maritime sector, with an average annual income of around 70,000 francs. For a precise calculation of your net salary as a cross-border worker, use our comparator: the most complete tool to compare your take-home pay between G and B permi...
