France's national allocation plan for 2008-2012

The European Commission has approved France's national plan for allocating carbon dioxide (CO2) emission allowances for the 2008-2012 trading period of the EU Emissions Trading Scheme (EU ETS). The Commission accepted the total number of emission allowances proposed by France – equivalent to 132.8 million tonnes of CO2.

The approval is conditional on France making one technical change to its plan. France withdrew the first version of its NAP in November 2006, which had proposed allowances totalling 155.6 million tonnes of CO2, and resubmitted an amended NAP in late 2006. The Commission’s decisions on NAPs aim to ensure that Member States meet their emission commitments under the Kyoto Protocol.

Environment Commissioner Stavros Dimas said: 'I welcome France’s sound revision of its national allocation plan. The French government has clearly shown the need to ensure that the Emissions Trading Scheme remains a successful weapon for fighting climate change that other regions and countries can emulate. The Commission will continue to assess all national plans in a consistent way and to create the scarcity in allowances that is essential for the scheme's success and for meeting Europe's Kyoto targets.'

Further information: Emisissions trading