MEPs back mandatory climate emission trading

The European parliament's environment committee yesterday adopted its first-reading position on the draft EU climate emission trading scheme. Key outcomes are limited rights for member states to exempt installations from a mandatory scheme, and an expansion in scope to include more industrial sectors and gases. The plenary will vote on the plan at the end of the month. Ministers are expected to reach a common position in October.

Proposed in a draft directive by the European Commission late last year, the scheme would begin with a three-year trial period in 2005, for a proper start in 2008 (EED 23/10/01).