EC welcomes Germany's acceptance of CO2 limit

09 February 2007 13:29  [Source: ICIS news]

BRUSSELS (ICIS news)--The European Commission (EC) has welcomed the decision by Germany not to take it to court over its decision in November 2006 to slash Berlin's emission quota for the European Union's (EU) Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS).

 

"The Commission welcomes Germany's decision not to go to court," said a spokeswoman for EU environment commissioner Stavros Dimas on Friday.

 

"Tackling climate change is one of the greatest challenges for society. Germany is showing leadership on climate change," she added.

 

The commission asked Germany, the EU's largest carbon dioxide (CO2) emitter, to reduce its emissions limit to 453 metric tonnes for the second trading period of the EU ETS from 2008-2012.

 

This limit is far lower than the 482 metric tonnes limit Berlin had originally proposed and promoted Germany's economy minister Michael Glos to suggest taking the commission to the European Court of Justice.

 

Germany also tried to agree a compromise position of 467 million tonnes, but the commission refused to increase the target.

By: Philippa Jones
+44 20 8652 3214

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