While still waiting for the assessment of the Copenhagen negotiations from the Commission, there are new developments on climate policy in Europe.

The informal meeting of the EU heads of state and government on 11 February will also address climate change. The President of the European Council wants “to translate the EU's ambitious climate change goals in global negotiating power”.

Meanwhile French President, Nicholas Sarkozy, advocates for a tax on carbon emissions across the European Union. Mr. Sarkozy says that “in future we will levy a 'climate tax' at Europe's borders”.

The proposal for a carbon tax is highly controversial. However, the European Commission has already considered the introduction of a CO2-related component to a general tax on energy consumption.