The European Union Council of Ministers has accepted a proposal that steel, iron and non-ferrous metal producers should be allocated free carbon allowances under the EU emissions trading system (EU ETS) until 2030.
The decision, backing a proposal from the European Commission, has been made because of concern that steel and other metal production could move outside the EU if the industry was forced to buy such allocations, which is what is generally required.The list of sectors qualifying for free emission allowances also covers the mining and processing of iron and non-ferrous metal ores, as well as the production of ferro-alloys; manufacturing of steel tubes, pipes, hollow profiles and related fittings; cold drawing of bars; making open die...