The European Commission is today expected to approve emissions trading plans of eight member-states, including Ireland, despite protests from environmentalist groups that trading in emissions is a licence for businesses to pollute.

A Commission spokeswoman said she was "99.9 per cent certain" that the Commission would approve plans presented by Ireland, Britain, Austria, Denmark, Germany, the Netherlands, Sweden and Slovenia.

EU governments were asked for proposals to cut industrial emissions of carbon dioxide under an EU emissions trading scheme due to start in January. The scheme forms part of the EU's effort to meet commitments under the Kyoto protocol against global warming.

Ireland submitted a plan at the end of March but officials said that the Government and the Commission had agreed modifications to the proposals since then.

"Intensive discussions have gone on with the Commission as part of their assessment," an Irish official said. It is understood that the EU has succeeded in persuading the Government to lower its emissions target in the final draft which will be ruled upon today.

The initial Irish proposal was attacked by the deputy head of the Commission's climate change unit, Mr Peter Vis, who said the State "could have gone further".

The Commission was understood to be concerned that large companies, with heavy energy bills, had been unfairly favoured by the Government, with smaller businesses and consumers left to pick up the bill for the lower emissions regime.

The plans proposed vary widely, with Britain proposing to cut its emissions of carbon dioxide by twice as much as the target set by Kyoto, while other countries are allowing emissions to rise.

Environmentalist groups complain that the Commission has been too lenient with the member-states, some of which have yet to submit any plan at all.

According to EU rules, countries that do not submit a plan to cut emissions could face legal action and possible sanctions, including fines.