EU rejects revised UK CO2 targets

The European commission has rejected, for the second time, UK plans to increase the amount of CO2 its industry can emit under the EU’s flagship emissions trading scheme.

The long running row between Brussels and the UK began when London set a provisional total in its National Allocation Plan (NAP) of 736 million tonnes of CO2 allowances in April 2004, with the caveat that this figure could be subject to change.

After reviewing the UK installations that would be covered by the EU’s emissions trading scheme, London revised their NAP, to a less stringent 756 million tonnes, and submitted the amended total to Brussels in November 2004.

But the commission refused to make a decision on the amended NAP, arguing that it was not legally possible to increase the original allowances.

The UK then launched legal proceedings at the European Court of Justice to force the commission to look again at its revised allocation.

In November 2005, the court backed the UK, annulling the commission’s earlier decision.

But the Brussels announced on Wednesday that again, despite the ECJ ruling, it could not accept the UK’s amended NAP, as it was received after a 30 September 2004 deadline.

“Since the UK amendment was notified after this deadline, the commission has passed today’s decision rejecting the amended plan on the grounds of late submission,” said the commission in a statement.

A spokesman for the UK’s environment, food and rural affairs department said it would consider mounting a legal challenge.

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