Brussels, 19/05/2010 (Agence Europe) - It is on Wednesday 26 May that the Commission will present its keenly awaited communication on the options and economic impact of a possible hike from 20% to 30% in the unilateral greenhouse gas emissions target for the EU by 2020 and on the detailed assessment of the industrial sectors exposed to significant risk of carbon leakage (see EUROPE 10129). The Environment Council will, then, be well prepared on 11 June to discuss this issue before the European Council on 17-18 June. A Commission spokeswoman told press on Wednesday 19 May that the communication was “the Commission's response to the requests from the Environment Council of 17 March” (see EUROPE 10099).
France, which, like Italy, wants it to be known quickly the conditions under which the EU could provide itself with an adjustment mechanism at its borders, is increasing its lobbying. Its diplomats, refusing to utter the phrase “carbon tax at the borders”, now speak of a “carbon inclusion mechanism”. The aim of this mechanism, far from being protectionist, is to include importers in the Community emissions trading scheme in order to avoid any unfair competition from third countries which might be tempted by climate dumping if their industrial installations do not have to build in the costs of purchasing emissions permits which European companies have to bear. (A.N./transl.rt)