Row continues over EU scheme

Date: 20/01/05

The EU's emissions trading scheme launched on 1 January 2005 with four member states still outside the scheme and the Commission caught up in a row with the UK over its revised National Allocation Plan (NAP).

On 20 January, the European Commission had still not approved NAPs - which distribute allocations of CO2 emissions in 2005-07 - for Italy, Poland and the Czech Republic, and Greece had yet to submit its plan. A Commission official told European Voice that it was not possible to say when they would be adopted, and environmentalists say that the submitted plans were particularly over generous with their allocations.

The Brussels executive is also embroiled in a spat with the UK over its request to increase its original allowance submission in July by 20 million tonnes.

Britain said in October that it had underestimated its expected carbon dioxide emissions by 7.6%, although others have accused the government of reacting to late lobbying from the industry.

Environment Commissioner Stavros Dimas has said that the Commission will only accept the first plan, but a spokesman admitted that informal talks were ongoing between the two parties to resolve the situation. The UK is threatening legal action if its demands are not met.

Article reports that on 20 January 2005, three weeks after the introduction of the EU Emissions trading scheme on 1 January 2005, four Member States were still outside the scheme. While the National Allocation Plans for Poland, Italy and the Czech Republic were waiting for approval by the EU, Greece had not yet submitted a plan. In addition there was a dispute with the United Kingdom. The country had asked for an increase in its original allowance .