EU May Take Legal Action Against Emissions-Trading Laggards - Reuters

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STRASBOURG, France - EU regulators might take legal action against governments that are taking too long to submit national allocation plans for the EU's emissions trading scheme, the EU environment chief indicated on Tuesday.

Most countries missed the bloc's end-June deadline for sending their full plans, known as NAPs, to the EU's executive Commission for scrutiny for the second round of the scheme, which covers the 2008-2012 trading period. NAPs are the cornerstone of the EU's efforts to fight climate change and meet emissions reduction goals under the Kyoto Protocol, outlining how much CO2 industries in each EU country may emit in a given period.

The Commission had now officially received 10 national plans, EU Environment Commissioner Stavros Dimas said. "The Commission appreciates very much the national efforts and the national plans," he told the European Parliament. "Those countries that are still hesitating are being sent reminders."

"If member states do not present their reports as requested, the Commission may well undertake other steps," he said, hinting at legal action. "I hope that this will not be necessary -- I hope that in the coming months the failing member states will present the statistics that we require of them."

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