Tory MEPs have rejected a proposed reform to the European emissions trading scheme that would have cut the huge surplus of allowances currently being traded.
Tory MEPs have rejected a proposed reform to the European emissions trading scheme that would have cut the huge surplus of allowances currently being traded.
The excess means that the price of carbon on the EU Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS) has gone as low as 5 euros a tonne in recent years.
The European Commission had proposed withholding 900 million allowances from the market over the next two years in the hope that the ‘backloading’ proposal would would drive up the price due to scarcity, resulting in a cut in the huge surpluses being traded.
MEPs voted against the proposal by 334 votes to 315 and there were more than 60 abstentions. It will now go back to the Parliament’s environment committee for further consideration.
Despite the UK government claiming to support the measure, sixteen of the 27 Tory MEPs voted against it.
Greenpeace UK political director Joss Garman said Conservative MEPs has “voted with some of Europe’s more unsavioury political parties to kill a proposal that would have resulted in a reduction in pollution”.
“The central plank of Europe’s strategy for cutting carbon emissions is now rendered impotent as it won’t stop a single dirty coal plant from being built.”
Conservative MEPs have “let their hatred of the EU get in the way of their own party policy and of economic growth”, said Lib Dem spokesman on environment in the European Parliament Chris Davies.
7 Responses to “Tory MEPs scupper plan to cut emissions”
Tom Y
Grraaagghhhh they’re such wankers.
brossen99
Greens and their mates like 38degrees working to promote Corporate Interests !
The proof that its the Energy Companies pushing carbon trading to increase their profit margins whilst low income people freeze and starve to death as the result !
https://twitter.com/PlaceLuxEU/status/323683922875666432/photo/1