Bulgaria wants negotiations over its CO2 emissions

„Bulgaria is seriously harmed by the European Commission’s decision and will take every step possible to have it revised. If that doesn’t happen, we will launch legal proceedings,” Chakarov said. The minister met with members of the Bulgarian Industrial Association on Wednesday to discuss the effects of the reduced carbon dioxide emissions quota, which the EU wants to slash by 34.4% to 42.3 million tons between 2008 and 2012.

Businesses agreed that slashing the quota would have negative economic effects and could lead to factory closures. Chakarov said Bulgaria would argue that Brussels had failed to take into account its need to produce more electricity from coal-fired power plants after the closure of two units at its nuclear power plant in Kozloduy last year. But a spokeswoman for Stavros Dimas, the EU’s environment commissioner, told Bulgarian radio that the carbon dioxide emissions quotas could not be renegotiated.

„These plans are binding by law and unless there is a mathematical error in the calculation, the Commission cannot and will not go back on its decision,” Barbara Helfferich said. Slovakia and the Czech Republic have already launched lawsuits against their carbon dioxide emissions quotas and Hungary and Poland are similarly preparing to challenge theirs. (international.ibox)