EU Countries Critical of Climate Plan

The European Commission is set to unveil broad new climate change legislation next week, but the measures have been criticized by member countries and trade organizations that fear adverse effects on European business. France is worried about effects on its nuclear industry, Der Spiegel reports; Germany and Spain have raised concerns about cross-border trade in renewable energy.

The private sector, meanwhile, argues that limiting greenhouse gases and making companies purchase heretofore-free emissions permits at auction will force big firms out of Europe. And some of the poorest EU states, such as Romania and Bulgaria, actually want to increase emissions as they try to bring their economies in line with their richer neighbors. (More European Union stories.)