Publication

This report discusses the Linking Directive adopted in October 2004, connecting the EU emissions trading scheme with the Kyoto Protocol’s project mechanisms. The author argues that not only was the Linking Directive settled remarkably quickly, but that the decisionmaking process also left a more liberal text, with fewer restrictions on the use of the project mechanisms, as compared to the initial directive proposal. She examines possible explanations to this puzzle, evaluating whether member-state preferences, EU institutions or external influence from the climate regime best can contribute to understanding the process.