Italian firm's EU carbon trade plea rejected

An Italian cement producer has lost its legal challenge in the European court of justice to the European commission's decision to veto a key element of Italy's carbon allocation plan for the second phase of the EU emission trading scheme (ETS).

In a ruling made public earlier this month, judges said the firm, Buzzi Unicem, did not have the right to challenge the commission decision through the EU court system because it had not shown that it would be individually affected by the veto.  The firm can still challenge the decision through national courts, they said.  The ruling adds to the body of case law accumulating around the world's largest carbon market.