The European Union yesterday (28th November) approved a proposal by the British government to reduce UK heavy industry carbon emissions by 13% over the next five years.
Britain is the first country to have its carbon reduction plans approved by Europe, with nine other nations (including Germany, Ireland and Sweden) being told that their proposed cutbacks were insufficient. The remaining EU nations are still to submit their plans.
The 246.2 million tonnes of emissions allowed after the UK’s 13% cut will be traded amongst heavy industry, with those companies that don’t use their full allocation able to sell tonnage to other businesses.
Environment Secretary David Milliband welcomed the news, saying that it “represents good news for the environment and good news for Europe. Emissions trading is a key tool in the UK and across the EU to reduce carbon emissions and tackle climate change.”
Despite accusations from the Climate Action Network Europe that the UK deal was the “best of a very bad lot,” and Greenpeace saying that “the decision announced by the commission today is still not strict enough on member states that seek to shelter their polluting industries from tough emissions standards,” the EU environment commissioner said that it sent a “strong signal” that he was being strict and fair in his administration of Europewide carbon trading.
