The European Energy Exchange and the derivatives exchange Eurex will expand trading in European Union Allowance futures from 30 June with contracts which will reach maturity from the third commitment period of the European Emission Trading System.

The third commitment period, which will begin on 1 January 2013, was specified as early as upon the adoption of the European Climate and Renewable Energies Package by the European Parliament in December 2008.

Subject to approval by the EEX Exchange Council, EUA futures for delivery in 2013 and 2014 will be available in the trading system as of the end of June. In combination with the existing contracts the trading participants on EEX and Eurex will be able to trade EUA futures for the respective next five years in the future.

The introduction of the new contracts will be accompanied by improvements intended to bring emissions trading more in line with the market. On 2 June, the exchange trading hours for emission futures and options were extended by 1.5 hours. In order to increase the flexibility for the trading participants EEX has also extended the post-trading phases for the spot and derivatives market auction on the EUA primary market.