In re Segura, S.L., Judgment No. 4745/2009 of July 6, 2009

A mineral extraction company, Segura, S.L., brought suit against a decision of the Council of Ministers of Spain of January 21, 2005, which approved the assignment of emission credits to the company’s limestone processing facility in Seville for the 2005-2007 term under the provisions of Royal Decree 5/2004 of August 27th, which regulated the market for GHG emissions trading. The Court found that the decision of the Council was invalid because it did not adduce adequate foundation as to the criteria that were applied to quantify the emission credits assigned to Segura, S.L., and ordered the Council to conduct the assignment of credits anew. Adequate foundation deemed important to avoid arbitrary application of rules, to promote transparency in the market for emissions trading, and avoid impinging on principles of sound competition.