"If the German government enacts its 2020 goal of reducing carbon dioxide emissions by 40 percent, I estimate that one million jobs are threatened," Federation of German Industries (BDI) president Juergen Thumann told the daily Rheinische Post.

"Sectors such as chemicals and steel in particular will have problems," he said.

German industrialists have regularly mobilised against projects to fight global warming whether they originate in Berlin or Brussels.

The debate is now focused on a European Commission proposal to sell emissions credits that are mostly provided for free at present.

The measure, which is to be officially unveiled on Wednesday, would have a particularly strong impact in Germany, where heavy industry represents a key part of the economy, which is Europe's biggest.

German chemical and steel groups have received pledges of support from the government, which intends to contest the EU commission's plan.

Berlin feels that German car makers will already be unfairly affected by EU plans to reduce automobile pollution.

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