Germany gives up resistance to CO2 cap[de] 

"We will accept this [Commission decision]," German Environment Minister Sigmar Gabriel told journalists on 9 February 2007 in Berlin, adding that the German government wants "to stress that we back European emission trading". 

Initially, Germany wanted emissions rights for 482 million tonnes of CO2, while the Commission proposed a 453m tonne limit, which is 6% less. At one point during the negotiations, Germany even threatened the Commission with legal action because it had rejected a German proposal for a compromise between the two positions (see EurActiv 30/11/06). The country gave in, however, when, after tough negotiations, the gap narrowed. "We were only 2% apart," Gabriel said. 

On the same day that Gabriel announced Germany's acceptance of the Commission decision, the German aviation, tourism and airport operation industries signed a memorandum announcing that they will join the Emissions-Trading Scheme (ETS), from 2011 for flights within Europe and a year later also intercontinental flights as well. The paper has the support of all German cargo and passenger air carriers, including Lufthansa,  Süddeutsche Zeitung reported in its 12 February 2007 edition. 

Until recently, Lufthansa management openly opposed the ETS. Now, however, Germany's biggest airline signed a paper that "welcome(s) emissions trading as a consequent measure", because it is, compared with regulation, "ecologically more effective and economically makes more sense".