HL Deb 19 April 2004 vol 660 c14WA
Lord Jenkin of Roding

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Why they have submitted a draft national allocation plan (under the European Union Emissions Trading Scheme) which will require reductions in emissions by United Kingdom firms greater than those required by plans submitted by other member states; and whether this will place British companies at a competitive disadvantage. [HL2233]

Lord Sainsbury of Turville

The Government published for consultation a draft UK National Allocation Plan (NAP) setting out proposals for allocating emission allowances to firms covered under the first phase of the EU Emissions Trading Scheme, which runs from 2005–07, and the way in which the international competitiveness of UK industry will be supported. While the Government will be submitting a NAP to the European Commission outlining key principles in April 2004, the final decision on the overall allocation of allowances will not be taken until 1 October 2004. It is therefore too soon to state whether UK firms will be required to make emissions reductions greater than those required in the plans submitted by other member states.