Overview
The Small Emitters Tool (SET) is a simplified emissions estimation tool developed and maintained by EUROCONTROL to support compliance with the EU Emissions Trading System (EU ETS). SET is officially recognised under Commission Regulation (EU) No 606/2010 as an approved simplified monitoring tool for estimating fuel consumption and CO₂ emissions for certain aircraft operators.
SET is based on a statistical modelling approach using piecewise linear equations.
The model requires minimal input parameters:
• ICAO aircraft type (ICAO Doc 8643 aircraft type designator)
• Distance flown (nautical miles) or Great Circle Distance (GCD) + 95 km
The outputs provided by SET are estimated fuel burn (kg) and corresponding CO₂ emissions.
Aircraft-specific equations are derived from real-life monitored fuel burn samples. While single-flight deviations may occur due to operational variability, the methodology is designed to provide accurate aggregated results over lists of flights.
Provider
EUROCONTROL
Versions and OS Requirements
SET is delivered primarily as a Microsoft Excel-based tool and released in year-specific versions. Users are required to use the version corresponding to the reporting year. As an Excel-based application, it requires an environment capable of running Microsoft Excel.
The underlying equations can also be obtained under a specific data usage agreement and integrated into other tools or systems.
Data Requirements
SET requires only limited input data:
• Aircraft type (ICAO 8643)
• Distance flown (nm or GCD + 95 km)
SET does not require:
• 4D trajectory data
• Meteorological data
• Actual take-off mass
• Detailed airframe/engine configuration
• Ground operation details (taxi time, APU)
• SID/STAR or holding information
Limitations
SET is designed as a simplified estimation tool for regulatory monitoring purposes. It does not provide trajectory-based modelling or operational optimisation capabilities. The tool focuses on fuel burn and CO₂ emissions and is limited in sensitivity to flight-specific operational variability at single-flight level.
Future Developments
SET is maintained and updated on a yearly basis to reflect entry in operation of new aircraft models, updated fuel burn samples and ensure continued alignment with operational data and regulatory requirements.