CLAIM: The European Union is working to create a “personal carbon credit” system in which individuals pay directly for the greenhouse gases they produce.
AP’S ASSESSMENT: False. Spokespersons for the EU’s legislative and executive offices say there has been no consideration of setting up such a system as it seeks to address the impacts of global warming. Climate change policy experts who have been closely watching the process say the EU has been focused on industry-level regulations, rather than ones directly on individuals.
THE FACTS: Social media users have been spreading false claims about new developments announced this month regarding the EU’s climate change efforts.
Many of the users are sharing a conservative website article claiming the regional trade bloc has taken the “first steps” toward imposing a “personal carbon credit system” in which every citizen will have to pay for their carbon emissions.
“Another conspiracy theory just came true guys. Personal carbon credit systems are here,” declared an Instagram user in a post that’s been liked more than 11,600 times as of Friday. “Residents of the European Union will have to pay for the greenhouse gasses they emit. This means that every time you fill up your car and turn on the heating, you have to pay for the harmful substances that are released as a result.”
“For all you people who insist Socialism is the way to go...guess what! YOU’RE gonna be on a carbon budget TOO!” wrote a Facebook user sharing a link to the...
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