The UK has handed out a first round of free carbon allowances to airlines covered by the EU Emissions Trading System (EU ETS).

DECC announced today it is giving the allowances to airlines which have fully registered online.

From the beginning of 2012, any airline flying in or out of an EU airport now has to report their emissions and buy allowances in exchange for these emissions.

DECC couldn’t say which airlines were involved or what the value of the allowances are but a spokesperson said the details may be revealed later today.

The EU ETS scheme is designed to keep its member on track for cutting greenhouse gas emissions by 8% on 1990 levels under the Kyoto Protocol.