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EU Member States
have until the end of June 2006 to submit their National Allocation
Plans (NAPs) to the European Commission. These plans are a decisive
element of the preparation for the second phase (2008-2012) of EU
Emissions Trading Scheme and thus a cornerstone of European climate
policy. Currently, the Member States are hurriedly preparing their
respective Plans. Again, as with the preparation of the first NAPs,
some fundamental questions are raised, for example regarding allocation
methods for emissions certificates, the emission caps, and the installations
covered by the Scheme. But in contrast to 2004, when the NAPs for
the first trading period (2005-2007) were drafted, this time the
Member States can draw upon some experiences.
The
Climate Talk on 11 April 2006 focused on determining what regulations
and which changes can be expected in comparison to the 1st NAPs,
and where this will lead. Only an hour after Germanys Environmental
Minister Gabriel for the first time made the most important corner
stones of the new NAP-Draft public during a press conference, Helen
Lückge (Ecologic) introduced the most important policies
and procedures of the new
German NAP to the participants of the Climate Talk. Dr.
Felix Christian Matthes (Öko-Institut) commented. Last
but not least, Lynn
Sheppard (British Embassy) presented the current draft of the
British
NAP.
In
the ensuing discussion, many controversial questions were raised.
Some of those referred to issues such as the emission caps and the
adequate incentives. Furthermore, the fact that a part of the necessary
emission reduction burden seems to be simply postponed to future
periods or shifted to other sectors like household and traffic raised
serious concerns. The utilization of benchmarks as an allocation
method was generally supported by the participants, though recognized
to be technically difficult. The expansion of emissions trading
into other areas – such as air traffic – also triggered
an animated discussion. In this regard, the UK already positioned
itself as a supporter of the inclusion of aviation into the European
Emissions Trading Scheme. In general, the participants supported
the notion that the German NAP will have an especially ambitious
cap for the energy sector.
The
animated discussion was eventually moved to a nearby location, where
the evening drew to a relaxed close.
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