The Czech Republic institutes proceedings against Brussels

The Government supported the intention of Martin Říman to institute legal proceedings against the decision of the European Commission concerning the Czech allocation plan for 2008—2012. Minister Říman is bringing the suit on the basis of an analysis of this decision, which finds the steps taken by the European Commission to discriminate against Czech energy plants and industries. The Czech Republic is well within the boundaries set by the Kyoto protocol to reduce CO2 levels, on which the European emission trading scheme is based.

"I am convinced that the European Commission has damaged the Czech Republic through its complicated model of calculation and false data when allocating emission allowances. I am delighted that the coalition government has adopted my proposal to bring this suit against it,” said Minister Říman.

The MIT analysis points out that the European Commission never consulted the method used to calculate 2008 emission levels, nor the data used for this calculation, with the Czech Government. Hungary and Poland are also refusing to accept the European Commission’s decision on their national allocation plans and are preparing to take action against the European Commission. Slovakia already instituted proceedings against the European Commission in February of this year.