German Environment Minister: will seek CO2 permit deal with EconMin in 2013
Date: 20-Dec-12
Country: Germany
Author: Madeline Chambers
German Chancellor Angela Merkel (L) talks with Environment Minister Peter Altmaier before a cabinet meeting at the Chancellery in Berlin November 28, 2012.
Photo: Thomas Peter
Germany's environment and economy ministers are still at odds over a possible reform of Europe's system of permits to cut carbon emissions but will try to reach a consensus early next year, Environment Minister Peter Altmaier said on Wednesday.
The dispute between the two ministers has been a major factor in holding up any EU-wide agreement to withdraw some emissions permits from the market to stop a price slump.
"Sometime in the spring... we will discuss the reform of emissions trading again," said Altmaier at a news conference, adding that if an EU decision had to be made then it was clear that the ministers should try to reach a common stance.
(Reporting by Madeline Chambers; Editing by Noah Barkin)
