Despite opposition from Poland, a European Union plan to decrease the oversupply of carbon emissions allowances and restore faith in the Emissions Trading System could move forward with backing from Germany, E.U. Climate Commissioner Connie Hedegaard said Wednesday.

The European Commission has proposed removing some permits during the 2013-2015 carbon market, which would drive the cost up from the current record low of less than €6 ($8). Before the economic recession, prices were closer to €30.

Other member states are "undecided, with a few exceptions," said a source from the E.U. presidency, now held by Ireland.

Elections in Germany on Sunday will determine the country's economy minister. The current minister, Philipp Rösler, has opposed the backloading plan, but if he is voted out of office the plan could move forward, Hedegaard said.

"I think it is urgent, and I think that those member states that haven't internally made up their mind yet must realize that industry and investors need to know what they can count on," she said.

The Irish presidency and the European Commission are also trying to forge ties with Australia's carbon trading market.

"It is just one part of the bigger vision that in the end -- not tomorrow, not next year, not in the very foreseeable future -- but in the end, the aim should be to have a global price on carbon," Hedegaard said (Daniel Fineren, Reuters, Jan. 16). -- EH