Corporate Europe Observatory

Exposing the power of corporate lobbying in the EU

EU: a hollow champion for the climate

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The EU has cultivated an image of being a leader in the fight against climate change at UN climate summits. But as the UN talks in Copenhagen get underway, a closer look at the EU's climate policy reveals fundamental failings. This article looks at how lobbying on the EU's flagship climate policy - the Emissions Trading Scheme has secured the right for dirty industry to carry on polluting for free. The most polluting industries, including chemicals, cement and steel, have secured free permits to pollute for at least the next decade, effectively underming the basis of the ETS - that there should be a price on carbon. This sends a dangerous signal to other countries about the need to regulate polluting industry.

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Corporate Europe Observatory

Corporate Europe Observatory (CEO) is a research and campaign group working to expose and challenge the privileged access and influence enjoyed by corporations and their lobby groups in EU policy making.

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