Germany attacks green energy scheme

Plans for a European system for trading renewable energy came under attack from Germany in January 2008 just as the European Commission was about to unveil proposals on the 23 January 2008 to fight climate change.

Sigmar Gabriel, Germany's Environment Minister, hit out at the scheme, which aims to boost green energy, arguing that it would 'endanger' his country’s 'successful' approach to promoting solar and wind power.

The European Commission was expected to propose a major package of legislation to combat climate change and improve the EU's energy security and competitiveness. The proposals were to implement climate and energy targets endorsed by the European Council in March 2008.

European Commission: Press Release: IP/07/29: Commission proposes an integrated energy and climate change package to cut emissions for the 21st Century http://europa.eu/rapid/pressReleasesAction.do?reference=IP/07/29&format=HTML&aged=0&language=EN&guiLanguage=en

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