Press Release: Emissions registries: Commission adopts rules to ensure emissions trading market reaches its full potential

The European Commission adopted 21 December 2004 the final piece of legislation foreseen under the Emissions Trading Directive, in preparation for the innovative EU greenhouse gas emissions trading scheme to begin on 1 January 2005. This Regulation lays the foundation for an electronic registries system that will keep track of the ownership of emission allowances as they change hands in the market. The emissions trading scheme is one of the key policies and measures developed under the European Climate Change Programme to ensure that the European Union and Member States limit or reduce emissions of climate-changing greenhouse gases in line with their commitments under the Kyoto Protocol.

European Commission: DG Environment: Climate change http://ec.europa.eu/comm/environment/climat/home_en.htm

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