Fuelling debate

One year ago the EU launched a system of carbon trading as a first step towards cutting greenhouse gas emissions. Under the scheme, 12,000 organisations that emit carbon dioxide – from power generators to factories and even prisons and hospitals – were given allocations for the amount of the gas they can discharge each year.

If they want to exceed their quota, they have to buy allocations from other organisations with a surplus through the EU emissions trading scheme (Euts), meaning that polluters have to pay for the damage they cause. Cleaner organisations, meanwhile, benefit financially by selling their carbon allowances for cash.

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