| Britain wins court battle on CO2 emissions |
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BRUSSELS: Britain emerged victorious in a legal battle against the European Union over the quantum of carbon dioxide that its factories and power stations can release over the next three years. The European Court of First Instance said the EU was wrong in ruling out the 20-million-tonne increase in emissions Britain had sought seven months after tabling its provisional programme.
The court said EU, in rejecting the British request, had “failed to explain how that increase, announced seven weeks before the opening of the market, could destabilise the market”.
The EU argued that the revised figures were submitted after the agreed deadline for endorsing national allocation plans for CO2 emissions. Britain contended that it had emphasised in April 2004, when it had tabled its original estimates, that these could be changed after public consultations.
The judges endorsed Britain’s defence, saying EU's attempts to prevent a government from proposing amendments would devalue the consultation exercise.
The EU has now two months to appeal against the ruling. It said it is disappointed by the court's interpretation and sought more time to understand the implications. A spokesperson for EU's environment commissioner said the department would examine the new British plan and see whether it can be accepted and whether amendments would be required.
Climate experts felt the ruling weakens EU's position in enforcing stricter emission controls on member states. It could lead to other EU member states seeking revisions in their national plans. Countries like Poland, Italy and the Czech Republic have already sought more allowances for their industries.
The EU’s emissions trading scheme, launched in January this year, stipulate that companies in certain sectors must surrender permits for each tonne of carbon dioxide they produce, or face fines. These allowances can be traded, allowing companies that reduce their output of greenhouse gases to benefit.
The British plan envisage allowances of 20 million tonnes -- worth more than 400 million euros at yesterday's carbon price -- added to its current 736 million tonne allocation.
The next phase of the emission scheme is described as more difficult as stiffer cuts on emissions would be required to meet the UN-proposed Kyoto protocol on climate change norms.
Unlike some European countries, Britain is on course to meet the Kyoto targets but it is struggling to meet its own tougher goals.
Posted
on : Thu, 24 Nov 2005 20:20 GMT | General News
By : Pippa Fielding
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