European Union Continues to Pursue Climate Change Links With the United States: Climate Change Commissioner Connie Hedegaard Visits the U.S.

The European Union continues to push ahead on climate change policy. This has major consequences for any businesses wanting to sell in the 27 member state union.

Two recent events call attention to the EU's climate change initiatives. First, EU Climate Action Commissioner Connie Hedegaard was recently interviewed on E&E TV speaking about the EU's climate initiatives. Click here to see that interview.

Second, California, which will institute a carbon cap and trade system beginning next year, and the EU have begun talking about how to co-ordinate the two systems. The EU carbon market is many times the size of the California market. On the other hand, this represents the first time the EU and any governmental entity in the U.S. have considered working together on carbon cap and trade.

Does the EU-California potential link up portend more action in the U.S.? Doubtful to be sure. But it does suggest that the days of complete U.S. lack of action on the issue have come to an end. Stay tuned.

Don C. Smith
Director
Environmental and Natural Resources Law Program