BRUSSELS, May 15 (Xinhua) -- The European Commission on Tuesday approved greenhouse gas emission allowances for Italy for the 2008-2012 period under the European Union (EU) Emissions Trading Scheme.

    The approved annual allocation is 195.8 million tons of carbon dioxide, 6.3 percent less than Italy had proposed.

    The Emissions Trading Scheme sets a "cap" for overall greenhouse gas emissions, so that the EU and its member countries can meet their emission commitments under the Kyoto Protocol.

    Each country's national allocation plan must be approved by the European Commission, the executive body of the EU. Italy's allowances is the 21st to be put under the commission's scrutiny.

    "Europe is fully committed to achieving its Kyoto target and to making the Emissions Trading Scheme a successful weapon for fighting climate change. Today's decision, like our previous ones, sends a strong signal of that commitment," said EU Environment Commissioner Stavros Dimas.