January 9, 2008

European Commission Considers Import Carbon Tariffs

Bookmark and Share Email this story Print this post Add your comments

The European Commission is contemplating a carbon tariff on goods from countries where greenhouse gas emission policies do not equal European standards, according to Business Week. The tariff system would force companies that export products to Europe to buy EU emissions permits through the Emissions Trading Scheme.

France strongly supports the tariff. European Trade Commissioner Peter Mandelson said that such a scheme would be hard to implement and could lead to trade disputes.

The European Commission is also considering an expansion of the ETS, according to Reuters. Current trading of carbon credits on the ETS market is worth $37 billion annually, and the commission is considering a proposal that would greatly increase that value by decreasing the percentage of free carbon credits that are distributed to European power generators and manufacturers. 90 percent are currently given out for free whereas 60 percent would be auctioned off annually beginning in 2013.

Only a few months ago, the European Union gave parliamentary approval to a plan that requires airlines flying to and from Europe to offset some of their emissions by buying CO2 allowances on the open market.

Bookmark and Share Email this story Print this post Add your comments

Advertisers

Join the Discussion

Get EL Daily in your inbox, subscribe to free newsletter

Recent Daily News [ see all ]

  • 02/09/2010
  • 02/08/2010
  • 02/05/2010

Recent Jobs

Post a Job
Jobs powered by Simply Hired

Comments and Discussions

John Bergdoll on Accidental to Purposeful Sustainability: Using What You Already Have to Grow Sustainability
"I was following the logic your article..."

Liz Amason on Clorox Comes Clean With Chemical Content on Web Site
"But look at their ingredients listings. For example, their regular liquid bleach..."

Rigidflexibility on Companies Going Green Should Ignore Green Consumer
"I was about to market a metal working fluid that is 98>% Soybean oil and..."

Stuart on Canadian Environment Minister Denounces Quebec Vehicle Emissions Regs
"Canadians have been waiting for the feds to act on climate change for..."

Steve Wolford on Sports Teams Embrace Sustainability
"Hello Environmental Leader, We just returned from the National Sport Forum in Baltimore. Team and..."

Mauibrad on Bipartisan Senatorial Effort Seeks Cap and Trade for non-CO2 Emissions
"Finally some enlightened ideas out of Congress!"

Cameron Green on Data Centers Can Apply for Energy Star Rating in June
"I did a blog post about this. Essentially PUE doesn’t give you very much..."