EU countries 'dragging feet' on emissions

The EU head office said today Ireland is one of only five EU states ready to implement a 1997 United Nations accord next year limiting carbon-dioxide emissions and chided other members for dragging their heels.

“I am disappointed some member states are slow in taking the measures necessary to ensure a smooth start,” EU Environment Commissioner Margot Wallstrom said in Brussels.

She said she has given 5,000 factories in eight EU states approval to start a complex plan of trading national CO2 emission levels to reverse global warming.

The plan starts in 2005 and stems from the 1997 Kyoto Protocol – a UN accord limiting carbon-dioxide emissions that degrade the earth’s protective ozone layer.

Wallstrom said she had received 13 emission plans. Five – from Denmark, Ireland, the Netherlands, Sweden and Slovenia – were approved while Germany, Austria and Britain were given three months to make minor changes in theirs.

Wallstrom said she will take legal action in the EU high court against Italy and Greece for failing to submit national plans.

The EU nations agreed in 2003 to abide by the Kyoto agreement.