(Justmeans.com / CSR News) - March 8, 2010 – The European Commission is considering the creation of two centralized auctioning platforms where all carbon permits would be bought and sold starting in 2011, according to leaked documents. The documents also indicate that auctions could be cancelled due to abnormally low prices.

The commission is debating the change for the third phase of their emissions trading system which begins in 2013. Change is being called for by many, demanding a more structured system which would allow a longer-term view of permit prices. The early phases of the trading system have been hampered by huge price swings and extremely low prices due to governments’ handing out of permits free of charge. Starting in 2013, the number of permits will be capped and slowly decreased.

Countries such as Germany, Britain, Spain and Poland have been pushing EU regulators for integrated national platforms, allowing each country to keep their own trading facilities such as London's European Climate Exchange. According to WBCSD, many industry participants are happy with the news, as they can begin to purchase permits next year for the 2013 requirement, effectively hedging a portion of their financial risk.