Obchodování s emisemi v EU: Systém narušuje příliš mnoho povolenek pro průmysl

22.12.2004
LONDÝN [WWF Velká Británie]

The EU Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS) starts on 1 January 2005, marking a key phase of the EU's implementation of the Kyoto Protocol. But the carbon trading market, and the potential environmental benefits of the system, have been undermined from the outset by Member States allocating too many emission rights to their industries.

"The ETS is a welcome tool to cut emissions of CO2, the main greenhouse gas. But individual countries, including the UK, have been allowed to give over generous allocations to industry, at the expense of the environment," said Nicola Saltman, WWF's Climate Change Programme Leader.

"This means that the biggest polluters have been given a reprieve and will not be punished appropriately under a polluter pay's system. It also means that companies taking the lead to implement climate change solutions lose out on potential financial benefits."

In October 2004 the Government increased emissions allowances for UK industry under the EU's carbon trading scheme, which is meant to cap emissions that industry can make. This backtracking will enable industry to emit an extra 19.8 million tonnes of CO2 over the next three years - the equivalent of an extra seven million cars on the road.

Independent research commissioned by WWF has shown that the UK could have made much bigger emissions reductions under the scheme. The 'Power to Save Our Climate' report showed that the power sector, the biggest contributor to CO2 in the UK, could reduce their emissions by 60 per cent by 2020. This could be achieved through reducing energy demand and increasing the use of renewable energy and gas, without resorting to building new coal-fired power stations. This would also avoid the need to spend some £4 billion on new power stations by 2020.

WWF is calling on the Government to ensure that they set the tough targets needed on industry, and in particular the power sector, in the second phase of the EU's carbon trading scheme, which will come into force in 2008.

"If the Government is to achieve its own target to reduce CO2 emissions by 20 per cent by 2020 they must take a much tougher line with industry, and in particular the power sector, the biggest polluter of CO2 in the UK. The second phase of the EU ETS is their last window of opportunity to really take serious and credible action on climate change," Nicola Saltman added.

DISKUSE - KOMENTÁŘE: