The Czech Government to Take Action Against the European Commission’s Procedure

The European Commission’s decision from March 26, 2007 concerns reduction in the overall quantity of emission permits for carbon dioxide (CO2) for the period 2008 – 2012 from the originally proposed 101.9 million tons / year to 86.8 million tons / year, i.e. a 11.6 % decrease. The Government views the procedure taken by the European Commission in stipulating the overall amount of permits as incorrect since, in the end, this will lead to the allocation of a lower number of permits as compared with the Czech Republic’s anticipated needs for the years 2008 - 2012, which contravenes Directive 2003/87/EC on trading in emissions. Disregarding the proposals made by the Czech Republic, the Commission used - when stipulating the total amount of permits - its own methodology, thus assuming powers that belong to the member state, a move running counter to the relevant Directive.

Slovakia has already filed similar action against the European Commission due to the same reasons. Poland and Hungary are seriously considering taking action against the decision of the European Commission which had also reduced their total number of permits for CO2 emissions for the years 2008 - 2012.

The Government of the Czech Republic joins the European Commission in its efforts to reduce carbon dioxide emissions, and will use all the available economic instruments to cut CO2 emissions by means of taxation, trade or regulation.

The Czech Republic has also been implementing the Kyoto Protocol as well as the EU´s policy in the field of reducing emissions.

Press Department of the Office of the Government of the Czech Republic
tiskovy.odbor@vlada.cz