Traders To The Cause

The E.U. launches a mandatory greenhouse emissions market.

1 minute read

January 5, 2005, 9:00 AM PST

By Chris Steins @planetizen


With the new year began a "new era for European business," according to Peter Koster, head of the fledgling European Climate Exchange, the world's first mandatory market for carbon emissions trading. Under the Kyoto Protocol, ratified in October and set to go into force in February, the European Union agreed to reduce its carbon emissions by 8 percent from 1990 levels by 2012. The 25-country union began the first phase of its plan to achieve the reductions on Saturday, setting new limits, to be finalized in February, for some 12,000 of its industrial plants in carbon-intensive industries such as power generation, steel, cement, and paper pulp. Companies that exceed their allotted emissions must either pay a fine or buy pollution credits on the open market from less-polluting companies to stay in compliance. While some companies complain the new targets will be difficult to meet, regulators say the initial limits are quite lenient. Peter Zapfel, a climate specialist at the European Commission, insists that "the psychological hurdles for companies are much higher than the real ones."

Thanks to Grist Magazine

Sunday, January 2, 2005 in The Financial Times

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Use Code 25for25 at checkout for 25% off an annual plan!

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

May 7, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Person in yellow safety suit and white helmet kneels to examine water samples outdoors on a lake shore.

USGS Water Science Centers Targeted for Closure

If their work is suspended, states could lose a valuable resource for monitoring, understanding, and managing water resources.

May 1, 2025 - Inside Climate News

Wide suburban road with landscaped median and light pole banners advertising local amphitheater.

End Human Sacrifices to the Demanding Gods of Automobile Dependency and Sprawl

The U.S. has much higher traffic fatality rates than peer countries due to automobile dependency and sprawl. Better planning can reduce these human sacrifices.

April 29, 2025 - Todd Litman

Wasco Viaduct under construction in California's Central Valley as part of California High-Speed Rail project.

Trump: Federal Government Won’t Pay for California HSR

The President has targeted federal funding for the California bullet train project since his first administration.

3 hours ago - The Fresno Bee

Bird's eye view of Salesforce Park in San Francisco, CA.

San Francisco Enhances Urban Planning Initiatives with Green Infrastructure

San Francisco incorporates green infrastructure in its city development initiatives, elevating the importance of sustainability in urban planning.

4 hours ago - The Daily Californian

Aerial view of Chicago with river in foreground.

Chicago Approves Green Affordable Housing Plan

The Mayor’s plan calls for creating a nonprofit housing corporation tasked with building affordable housing that meets Green Building standards.

5 hours ago - CBS News Chicago

Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools

This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.

Planning for Universal Design

Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.

Comprehensive Bikeway Design Workshop

Transportation Research & Education Center (TREC) at Portland State University

Early Bird Deadline – save on your tuition fee!🚨

Institute for Housing and Urban Development Studies (IHS)