June 27, 2006
TOUGH CHOICE--YOUR ECONOMY OR THEIR HYSTERIA?:
Germany to spark 'climate crisis' (Roger Harrabin, 6/27/06, BBC)
The German government is about to trigger a new crisis in Europe's flagship climate policy, the Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS).Posted by Orrin Judd at June 27, 2006 11:31 PMBBC News understands the German cabinet is likely to agree a deal that will reduce carbon emissions from industry by only 0.6% between 2004 and 2012.
The decision is likely to influence other EU countries, including the UK, which still have to set their own caps.
Environmental groups describe the target as "pathetic and shameful".
"These figures are unbelievably unambitious," said Regina Gunther from WWF Germany. "It is shameful that our environment minister has agreed to this."
Obviously, Paramount hasn't dubbed Al Gore's documentary into German yet. I'm sure that will change everything.
Posted by: John at June 27, 2006 11:46 PMOne imagines Regina Gunther keeps her job whatever the targets are.
Posted by: ed at June 28, 2006 10:52 AMThe German Government has been elected on a 'no more nukes' platform. They now have to give way to pressure from the big utilities to burn oil and gas to fill the gap left by the anti nuclear policy.
The current coalition is not strong enough to take on the big utilities but may be seeking to pass the problem over to the EU in setting a NAP which will likely be contested in Brussels.
This way they can appear an innocent victim of a solution imposed by the EU and boost the creeping federalism of Europe in the same move.
The response from the other major EU countries (who have yet to submit their NAPs) will determine whether the ETS survives in it's current form or not.