Economics

Pollution Costs at Decade High Squeeze Industry, Coal in Europe

  • Carbon pushed past 20 euros a ton and is forecast to rise more
  • Power and gas have become more costly with carbon’s increase
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Europe’s coal producers and energy intensive industries are the most exposed to a surge in the price on releasing the most common greenhouse gas into the atmosphere.

Carbon futures in the continent’s Emissions Trading System reached their highest in a decade on Thursday, surpassing the psychological threshold of 20 euros ($23) a ton when energy users start taking note of the price. That’s up more than five-fold from less than 5 euros little more than a year ago.