The European Parliament adopted by 344 votes to 311, with 46 abstentions, an amendment to the proposal for a decision of the European Parliament and of the Council amending Directive 2003/87/EC clarifying provisions on the timing of auctions of greenhouse gas allowances.
The matter was referred back to the committee responsible. The vote was therefore postponed.
The proposal sought to stipulate that the Commission would be adapt, if necessary, the timing of auctions of greenhouse gas allowances in order to ensure an orderly functioning of the market.
The amendment adopted by Parliament states that where an assessment shows for the individual industrial sectors that no significant impact on sectors or subsectors exposed to a significant risk of carbon leakage is to be expected, the Commission may, in exceptional circumstances, adapt the timetable for the period beginning on 1 January 2013 so as to ensure an orderly functioning of the market. The Commission shall make no more than one such adaptation for a maximum number of 900 million allowances.