BRUSSELS, Oct 12 (Reuters) - The European Commission started legal action against eight European Union states on Thursday for failing to submit plans that allocate how much carbon dioxide (CO2) their industries may emit in 2008-2012.
The plans are the cornerstone of the EU's emissions trading system, which sets limits on the amount of CO2 big factories can release and enables them to buy or sell permits to pollute.
The plans for the 2008-2012 period were due to the EU executive by the end of June, but most states were late.
The Commission said on Thursday it was starting legal action -- in the form of a warning letter -- against Austria, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Hungary, Italy, Portugal, Slovenia and Spain for failing to turn in their plans.
((Writing by Jeff Mason, Brussels newsroom, +32 2 287 6843, Reuters Messaging: jeff.mason.reuters.com@reuters.net, Email: jeff.mason@reuters.com))
Keywords: ENVIRONMENT EU EMISSIONS